Final answer:
The New Deal showed the U.S. government's readiness to significantly intervene in the economy through regulations, relief programs, and establishing social safety nets, marking a stark shift from prior laissez-faire policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1930s, the New Deal demonstrated the willingness of the United States government to take on an expanded role in the economy and society. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's comprehensive reform plan included measures to regulate the banking system, provide relief to the unemployed, and establish social safety nets such as the Social Security Administration. Significant government intervention marked a departure from previous laissez-faire policies, with the creation of programs aimed to stabilize the economy, provide public works, and ensure a basic level of security for all citizens.
Federal programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) indicated new expectations from the federal government, offering direct employment and support in ways previously unseen during peacetime. This era also included the introduction of substantial regulations on private industry, the establishment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and mortgage relief programs, which collectively endeavored to prevent the recurrence of the economic crisis that sparked the Great Depression.
The legacy of the New Deal is still evident today, as various programs established during that time continue to function and impact American society. The government's role in economic management became much more pronounced, reflecting economic theories such as those proposed by John Maynard Keynes that supported increased government expenditure as a means to rejuvenate the economy during downturns.