Question

To what extent (TWE) did the federal government’s role expand beyond historical norms during the New Deal (in other words, had the federal government ever impacted so many Americans this directly before in US History)?

Answer 1

As part of the New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented many measures that were intended to provide relief to Americans that were negatively impacted by the Great Depression. These measures included programs that modern Americans are familiar with, such as relief for the unemployed.

These programs were implemented by the federal government, a situation that had not been seen before in the United States. The New Deal significantly expanded the role of the federal government in the lives of private citizens. The federal government had never impacted so many Americans this directly before. However, this strategy was intended to provide relief for the poor during difficult times, which was seen as justification for these expanded authority.