Final answer:
The Great Depression significantly influenced the growth of government by showing the need for federal intervention during economic crises, leading to the New Deal programs and a shift toward Keynesian economic policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Depression played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of government intervention in the economy. Prior to the Depression, the U.S. government maintained a laissez-faire stance toward economic affairs. However, the severe economic downturn and high unemployment rates revealed the limitations of private charity and local governments to address the nation's economic woes adequately.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs embodied a shift in public opinion regarding the government's responsibilities. These programs provided relief and recovery, establishing a precedent for federal intervention in economic affairs. The New Deal included direct job provisions, regulation of banks, and the creation of social safety nets which implied a transformative expansion of governmental roles.
The Great Depression illustrated the need for a robust federal response during economic crises. It challenged previous notions of government restraint in the marketplace and paved the way for later economic policies, including Keynesian economics, which emphasizes government spending as a tool to manage economic downturns.