That is true, and his taking of state debts was very controversial
The state and local governments were responsible for funding welfare programs. New Federalism was focused on restoring the national government's power to the states.
The United States during WWII were simultaneosly fighting in two different fronts. The forces were splitted. On the first hand, they were fighting in the Eruopean front against Germany and the Nazis and, on the other hand, they were fighting in the Pacific, were there were several fronts both in Asia and in the Pacific Ocean, against the Empire of Japan.