The Tennessee Valley Administration (TVA) proved to be one of the most ambitious and controversial New Deal projects. The primary aim of the TVA was to provide jobs for Americans, building dams and power plants along the Tennessee River. Its secondary aim was to provide electricity to rural areas and stimulate industry. Although the TVA was successful in providing many Americans with electricity for the first time and provided jobs to thousands of America’s unemployed the program outraged many private companies.
The grand design of the New deal, namely the National Industry Recovery Administration (NIRA) was comprised of the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the National Recovery Administration (NRA). The NRA was destined to fall apart without, and independently of the fact that the Supreme Court declared it in violation of the constitution and therefore invalid. The NRA was established to stimulate production and competition by having American industries set up a series of codes designed to regulate prices, industrial output and general trade practices. The federal government in turn would agree to enforce these codes and federal officials promised to suspend anti trust legislation for two years. The NRA recognised the right of labour to organise and to have collective bargaining with management. The NRA proved to be another controversial piece of legislation to come out the Hundred Days as many opponents charged it with being un-American, socialist and even communist.
The PWA provided Americans with employment making bridges, roads, schools and hospitals. 3.3 billion was given to fund this program and its outcome was a boost in the morale of the American people and it provided them with even more jobs.
The last of Roosevelt’s policies for the New Deal dealt with the issue of relief. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was intended to provide for America’s poorest and unemployed. Roosevelt was able to obtain 500 million dollars of federal funds for the relief of human suffering from congress. Half the money was to be used for the direct relief among the states. This was to set an important precedent for the future governments giving direct funds for relief.
Another organisation designed to aid relief was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a public works projects operated under the control of the army, which promoted environmental conservation while getting young, unemployed men of street corners. Men were paid $30 a month but $25 was to be sent home for their families. The purpose of the project was to teach young men a sense of responsibility and self respect.
Even though the New Deal didn’t manage to fully overcome the effects of the Depression, there is no doubt that its programs and act’s changed the American society and government.
