What was the primary purpose of the New Deal?

The primary purpose of the New Deal was to provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression. When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933, the United States was experiencing severe economic distress characterized by high unemployment rates, widespread poverty, and a general sense of despair among the populace. The New Deal encompassed a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations aimed at stimulating the economy and addressing the dire consequences of the Great Depression.

Relief measures included direct assistance to those in need, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, which provided jobs to the unemployed. Recovery efforts focused on revitalizing the economy, such as the National Industrial Recovery Act aimed at stimulating industrial production and encouraging fair labor practices. Lastly, reform efforts were designed to prevent future economic calamities, exemplified by the establishment of the Social Security Act and regulations on the banking industry through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

In contrast, promoting international trade, expanding military forces, and increasing tariffs on imports were not central focuses of the New Deal. The primary aim was to stabilize and rebuild the nation's economy, addressing the immediate needs of the population while laying the groundwork for a more secure economic future. This unmistakable focus on Americans’