Final answer:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed to expand the role of government during his presidency to aid the vulnerable through the New Deal, boosting federal intervention in the economy and setting a precedent for future welfare policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to expand the role of government to help the most vulnerable in society. During his presidency, which began at the height of the Great Depression in 1933, Roosevelt introduced the New Deal. This series of programs and policies were designed to provide relief to the unemployed and poor, recover the economy to normal levels, and reform the financial system to prevent a repeat depression. Notably, the New Deal included the creation of agencies and programs to put people to work, regulate the economy, and provide a safety net for the most vulnerable populations.
In extending the government's role, Roosevelt's New Deal programs allowed the federal government to play a broader role in economic affairs, reshaping public opinion on governmental responsibilities. This endeavor significantly expanded federal powers, although met with some resistance, including from the Supreme Court which initially found some of the measures unconstitutional. However, with public support for change amid the crisis, the Court's stance eventually shifted to allow more government intervention.
Overall, the legacy of Roosevelt's presidency marked a decisive shift toward a greater acceptance of federal government involvement in the economy and the welfare of its citizens, laying the groundwork for modern American social welfare policies.