Final answer:
The New Deal programs provided relief and job opportunities for many white Americans during the Great Depression, while also perpetuating racial and gender discrimination. These programs empowered the federal government's role in the economy, although their legacy is mixed given the unequal opportunities offered to minorities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The New Deal programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a substantial impact on white Americans during the Great Depression. These programs substantially expanded the role of the federal government and provided various forms of relief, such as job creation and economic support. However, while the New Deal aimed to alleviate the economic distress, it operated within a system that allowed for racial and gender discrimination, often marginalizing minority groups and reinforcing existing inequities.
White Americans benefited from the New Deal in several ways, including access to new jobs created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and infrastructure improvements from projects like the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Nonetheless, the New Deal also maintained and, in some cases, exacerbated racial disparities. For instance, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and other agencies often offered the "lowliest jobs" to nonwhite workers and implemented discriminatory hiring practices. Additionally, social safety net programs like Social Security initially excluded occupations that were primary sources of employment for minorities, such as domestic work for African American women.
The New Deal thus had mixed results, offering extensive assistance to many white Americans while continuing to uphold a system that sidelined minority groups. Despite the benefits brought forth by these programs, the ways in which discrimination was woven into the fabric of the New Deal agencies represent deep-seated racial and gender inequities of that era.