Final answer:
The concept of distinguishing between the "deserving" and the "undeserving" in America originated during the Progressive Era and gained greater attention during the Great Depression. The distinction is based on the belief in individual responsibility and the idea that hard work and talent determine social mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of differentiating between the "deserving" and the "undeserving" originated during the Progressive Era in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Social reformers sought to address the growing poverty in urban areas by distinguishing those who had lost their money due to no fault of their own from those who had engaged in speculative behavior. This distinction was further emphasized during the Great Depression when charitable assistance was unable to reach all the "deserving poor." It is important to note that this distinction is based on the belief in individual responsibility and the idea that hard work and talent determine social mobility in the United States.