How did the New Deal change the U.S. government's role in America?

The New Deal changed many things in our country. One of them was what people believed the role of our government should be during different periods of time. Prior to the Great Depression, many people believed the government should follow a laissez-faire philosophy. This meant the government should stay out of the economy and out of our lives as much as possible. The Great Depression changed this way of thinking.

As a result of the Great Depression, people began to expect the government to get involved when difficult times occurred. During the Great Depression, people looked to government for help. They expected the government to provide relief and recovery programs. The government created many job programs during the New Deal. Because of the Great Depression, people now believe the government should act as a safety net when times get really difficult.

We see this way of thinking today. When a natural disaster strikes, people look to the government for assistance. When people are suffering, they expect the government to help them. When the economy drops significantly, people want the government to take action to deal with effects of the declining economy.

The Great Depression altered the way many Americans feel about the role government should play when difficult times occur in our economy or in our lives.