Final answer:
Roosevelt created the 'Black Cabinet' to incorporate African-American advisers like Mary McLeod Bethune into White House decision-making and to secure African American voters' support for the Democratic Party during the Great Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
One factor in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's setting up the 'Black Cabinet' was the need to integrate African American voices into White House affairs, which had not been done before. This group of unofficial advisors on matters of race included prominent figures such as Mary McLeod Bethune, a distinguished educator, and civil rights activist, who became a crucial member of Roosevelt's 'Black Cabinet'.
The creation of the 'Black Cabinet' was also part of Roosevelt's strategy to build a new coalition for the Democratic Party by assisting those most affected by the Great Depression, including African Americans.
Roosevelt's engagement with figures like Bethune and other members of his 'Black Cabinet' reflected a more inclusive approach and tentative support for civil rights that began to reshape the political landscape.
Although some New Deal programs were criticized for racial discrimination, the appointments and the advocacy of figures like Bethune in key positions marked an important step in increasing opportunities for African Americans. The shift of black voters from the Republican to the Democratic Party can be linked to these efforts by Roosevelt and his administration, despite the ongoing challenges regarding civil rights and full equality.