National Production Authority
Encyclopedia
The National Production Authority (NPA) was an agency of the United States
government which developed and promoted the production and supply of materials and facilities necessary for defense mobilization
. It was part of the Department of Commerce
.
The agency was created by Department Order 123, issued September 11, 1950, under authority of the Defense Production Act
of 1950 and Executive Order 10161 (issued September 9, 1950). The organization's function was to ensure the needs of the civilian economy were adequately represented in defense mobilization efforts, and that small businesses were participating in defense contracts.
In 1951, after the escalation of the Korean War
, the NPA was placed under the control of the Defense Production Administration
in the Office of Defense Mobilization
.
The NPA was abolished by Department Order 152, issued October 1, 1953. Its functions were dispersed among a number of successor agencies, including the Business and Defense Services Administration (1953–1970); the Bureau of Domestic Commerce (1970–1972); the Domestic and International Business Administration (1972–1977); the Industry and Trade Administration (1977–1980); and the International Trade Administration
(1980–present).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government which developed and promoted the production and supply of materials and facilities necessary for defense mobilization
Mobilization
Mobilization is the act of assembling and making both troops and supplies ready for war. The word mobilization was first used, in a military context, in order to describe the preparation of the Prussian army during the 1850s and 1860s. Mobilization theories and techniques have continuously changed...
. It was part of the Department of Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
.
The agency was created by Department Order 123, issued September 11, 1950, under authority of the Defense Production Act
Defense Production Act
The Defense Production Act is a United States law enacted on September 8, 1950, in response to the start of the Korean War. It was part of a broad civil defense and war mobilization effort in the context of the Cold War. Its implementing regulations, the Defense Priorities and Allocation System ,...
of 1950 and Executive Order 10161 (issued September 9, 1950). The organization's function was to ensure the needs of the civilian economy were adequately represented in defense mobilization efforts, and that small businesses were participating in defense contracts.
In 1951, after the escalation of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the NPA was placed under the control of the Defense Production Administration
Defense Production Administration
The Defense Production Administration was an independent agency of the United States government whose function was to oversee and control defense production programs of the United States during wartime mobilization....
in the Office of Defense Mobilization
Office of Defense Mobilization
The Office of Defense Mobilization was an independent agency of the United States government whose function was to plan, coordinate, direct and control all wartime mobilization activities of the federal government, including manpower, economic stabilization, and transport operations...
.
The NPA was abolished by Department Order 152, issued October 1, 1953. Its functions were dispersed among a number of successor agencies, including the Business and Defense Services Administration (1953–1970); the Bureau of Domestic Commerce (1970–1972); the Domestic and International Business Administration (1972–1977); the Industry and Trade Administration (1977–1980); and the International Trade Administration
International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that promotes United States exports of nonagricultural U.S...
(1980–present).