What was the New Deal?

The New Deal refers to a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted in the United States by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. The primary goal of the New Deal was to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform the financial system to prevent a future depression. This comprehensive set of policies included initiatives such as the Social Security Act, the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the creation of various agencies like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

By focusing on reforms aimed at economic recovery, the New Deal fundamentally transformed the role of the federal government in American life and laid the groundwork for the modern welfare state. The emphasis on recovery is significant, as it illustrates how the policies directly addressed the widespread economic struggles facing the nation during the 1930s.