may 5, 1933 - TVA project made effective (May 1933)

Description:

(1933) Tennessee Riv gave New Dealers opportunity to make lots of power; Riv eroded large area that had 2.5 mill poorest ppl in US; Fed gov't already owned valuable properties at Muscle Shoals where it made plants for nitrates in WWI; Developing hydroelectric potential of entire area → gov't could give thousands of ppl jobs & long term project for reforming power monopoly;

Mostly result of SEnator George W. Norris's (Georgia) passion & vision; most revolutionary New Deal scheme from standpoint of "planned economy;

New agency wants to create yardstick to test rate fairness from private electricity companies; Utility corporations charge that low cost of this project's power bcuz of dishonest bookkeeping & absence of taxes; Critics said this was socialism;

Brought in employment & power, low-cost housing, cheap nitrates, restoration of eroded soil, improved navigation, flood control; Poor area → flourishing region; foreigners impressed;

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