D. . Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. The purpose of the New Deal was to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American people and the economy. The New Deal changed the balance of power between federal and state governments by increasing the power of the federal government over the economy. Through various programs and initiatives, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the National Recovery Administration, and the Social Security Act, the federal government gained significant control over the economy, reducing the power of the states. The New Deal also created numerous federal agencies and programs that continue to have significant power over the economy and American lives, cementing the federal government's dominance over the states.