Final answer:
The Second New Deal was influenced by continued economic struggles and high unemployment after the First New Deal, political pressures from critics, and the Supreme Court invalidating parts of the prior New Deal measures. This prompted a shift to more direct relief, long-term social welfare programs, and increased federal economic involvement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Second New Deal was prompted by the sustained economic hardship of the Great Depression even after the First New Deal. As the 1935 legislative session began, President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized that further efforts were needed for economic recovery and to reduce high unemployment levels that persisted. The Second New Deal saw a shift towards more aggressive unemployment relief, creation of long-term protections such as the Social Security Act, and regulations to stabilize the economy created a stronger foundation for modern social welfare.
Another significant factor that influenced the shift was the political pressure from Roosevelt's critics on both the left and right, and challenges from demagogues like Huey Long and Father Coughlin who argued for more radical solutions. Moreover, the Supreme Court striking down several First New Deal components spurred the government to adjust its approach.
Roosevelt's response to the criticisms and legal obstacles was to introduce new legislation that would further expand federal involvement in the economy. This included large-scale programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and interventions that signaled a greater role of government in private industry, establishing peacetime precedents for federal economic engagement.