The Civil Works Administration - or CWA - was a short lived program designed to create jobs for the unemployed. Those hired were tasked with building public works - like roads, levees, airports, and other infrastructural projects. 

Overall, the program was mostly a success - but would be dissolved in 1934, only having lasted a year. However, the future WPA (Works Progress Administration) would fulfill a similar role from 1935 to 1943.