Final answer:
Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal policies aimed to combat the Great Depression by expanding federal responsibilities and regulating the economy, which included creating jobs and implementing social welfare programs. The New Deal fundamentally shifted American economic policy and involved direct government action to provide relief and reform the financial system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Franklin Roosevelt's approach to combating the Great Depression marked a significant shift in American economic policy. When he entered office in 1933, Roosevelt was determined to use the power of the federal government to actively intervene in the economy and provide relief to the American people. His administration enacted the New Deal, a series of legislative initiatives that expanded federal responsibility for welfare, regulated financial institutions, and created jobs through public works projects. Some key programs included the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the Social Security Board, now known as the Social Security Administration.
Though initially unsure of the specifics, Roosevelt believed in positive government action, federal relief, public works, social security, unemployment insurance, restoring confidence in banks, and stronger regulation of the economy. He delved into direct help for farmers and provided mortgage relief. The pivotal concept was that the federal government would play a broader role in revitalizing the economy, an approach that had both supporters and critics due to the increase in governmental power.
The New Deal not only sought to provide immediate relief but also aimed to reform the economic system to prevent future depressions. Roosevelt's commitments to these goals were visibly presented in his famous fireside chats, where he communicated directly with the American people, bolstering confidence and outlining his plans for recovery. Despite some initial resistance, public opinion and eventually the Supreme Court sided with Roosevelt's vision, acknowledging the need for intervention during such a dire economic crisis.