FDR Signs the Tennessee Valley Authority Act
Running for president at a time when unemployment rates were sky high and thousands of banks were closing, FDR rallied his party during his acceptance speech at the 1932 Democratic National Convention. “This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms. Give me your help, not to win votes alone but to win in this crusade to restore America to its own people." The Tennessee Valley was one of the most devastated parts of the country. It spanned seven states and over 40,000 square miles. On May 18, 1933, FDR signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act as part of his New Deal. It was an aggressive recovery act that put thousands of people back to work rebuilding dams, replanting trees, modernizing farming techniques and generating cheap electricity.
