Final answer:
The government's policies during the Great Depression, particularly through the New Deal, provided significant relief and reshaped expectations for federal intervention, although their effectiveness is debated among historians.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Great Depression, the federal government implemented several policies to mitigate the economic downturn and provide relief for struggling Americans. Some of the most notable initiatives were put forth during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, which included programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) that created jobs, and the Social Security Act, which provided economic security for the elderly and unemployed.
Many historians argue that these policies were effective in providing immediate relief, improving the nation's infrastructure, and laying the foundation for economic recovery, although they did not entirely end the Depression. Critics, however, believe these interventions did not go far enough or were misguided and prolonged the economic downturn.
Despite varying opinions on their overall effectiveness, the government's policies were pivotal in reshaping public expectations for federal intervention in times of crisis.