E) They showed that the government could help to ensure full employment.
The Great Depression and World War II had a significant impact on the public's expectations regarding employment. The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to 1939, was marked by high levels of unemployment and economic hardship. Many Americans came to believe that unemployment was an unfortunate but largely irremediable occurrence. However, the government's response to the crisis, including the implementation of various New Deal programs, helped to alleviate some of the economic suffering and demonstrated that the government could take active measures to help ensure full employment.
During World War II, the United States experienced a period of full employment as the country mobilized its resources to support the war effort. This further reinforced the idea that the government could take steps to ensure full employment. After the war, the government continued to implement policies designed to maintain high levels of employment, such as the GI Bill, which provided education and training opportunities for returning veterans. As a result, the public came to expect that the government would take an active role in promoting full employment.