What was the primary goal of the New Deal?

The primary goal of the New Deal was to provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression. The New Deal, enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, was a response to the severe economic crisis that had engulfed the United States. Its multifaceted approach aimed to address the immediate needs of the unemployed and impoverished, stimulate economic recovery, and implement systemic reforms to prevent such a crisis in the future.

Relief efforts included programs designed to provide immediate assistance to those suffering from unemployment and poverty. Recovery initiatives focused on revitalizing the economy and increasing employment, while reform measures sought to regulate financial institutions and alleviate the economic vulnerabilities that had contributed to the depression. Through a series of programs and agencies, like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Social Security Act, the New Deal sought to create a safety net for citizens and stabilize the economy.

In contrast, promoting free trade, diminishing federal powers, or expanding military funding were not aligned with the principal objectives of the New Deal. The focus was distinctly on domestic economic issues rather than international trade, limiting government authority, or increasing military expenditures.