Overview

Although Alaskans criticized many federal policies, most benefited from “New Deal” expenditures during the 1930s.  President Roosevelt’s "alphabet soup" programs (referring to the acronyms used to describe the programs) touched Alaskans as much as any other citizen.  For example, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal relief program, employed both Natives and non-Natives on numerous projects.  The Works Project Administration (WPA) supplied grants and loans for capital projects such as a new schoolhouse in Skagway, a federal building in Fairbanks, and a bridge crossing Gastineau Channel in Juneau.  In 1937, the WPA Alaska Art Project hired 12 artists to publicize the territories of the United States.  Later, the WPA began to finance defense-related projects such as emergency landing strips.  Defense buildup beginning in1939 led to the construction of military installation at Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kodiak, and Unalaska. 

Many New Deal programs worked well in Alaska and were greatly needed by many residents.  Some failed, however, due to Alaska’s unique culture and environment.  Much of this failure can be attributed to how Outside administrators perceived Alaska.  For the most part, Alaska Natives were viewed as wild and primitive, while the resource-rich land represented new opportunities for down-on-their-luck Americans.  Instead of the phrase “Go West” and all the meanings associated with it,  New Dealers exclaimed “Go North,” with many unintended consequences.