Final answer:
The New Deal fundamentally altered the American government's role in the economy, shaped the perception of government aid during economic hardship, and led to the formation of the New Deal Coalition, strengthening the Democratic Party.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most significant outcomes of the New Deal was the shift in how Americans perceived the role of government during tough economic times. It established the idea that the government was responsible not just for economic stability, but for the economic security of its citizens, transitioning national thought from a focus on individualism to accepting the welfare state. This perspective is a lasting legacy of the New Deal era, cementing the belief that the government would come to aid its citizens in periods of hardship.
Furthermore, the New Deal Coalition played a pivotal role in rebuilding the political landscape, uniting diverse groups such as Southern whites, urban communities, African Americans, and industrial workers under the Democratic Party. This coalition not only supported the presidential campaigns but also generated significant Democratic majorities in the U.S. Congress. It was FDR's policies and programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) that offered widespread employment and services that contributed to this political transformation.
The expansion of federal government intervention and its active role in the economy was a radical change brought about by the New Deal, with programs that continue to impact American society today. Though it also led to increased government spending and national debt, these policies reversed the economic downturn and restored hope among the American people during the Great Depression.