Historical Event
WPA Slave Narrative Project
The WPA Slave Narrative Project was an initiative established in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration to collect firsthand accounts from formerly enslaved African Americans across the United States. It spanned several years and included interviews with over 2,300 individuals, predominantly in the Southern states, providing valuable insights into the lives, struggles, and resistances of enslaved people before the Civil War.
Why This Matters
This project is significant as it captured the oral histories that not only highlight the resilience and agency of enslaved individuals but also serve as a vital bridge connecting the lived experiences of African Americans to ongoing global conversations about African heritage and cultural identity. By documenting these narratives, the WPA project strengthens the ties between the African diaspora and their continental roots, furthering an understanding of shared histories and ongoing struggles for freedom and justice.
Related People
Related Heritage Sites
Related Lessons
The Political Convention & Public Voice (1820–1840)
Unit 4
The Sons of Africa: Black Britons Argue Their Own Case
Unit 3
The General Strike & The End of Slavery (1861–1865)
Unit 4
You Could Be From Anywhere: Genealogy and the Moving Diaspora
Unit 7.5
Cotton as Capital: Reading American Industrialization Through Slavery
Unit 8.5
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