The purpose of the New Deal established in the 1930s was to provide relief, recovery, and reform in response to the Great Depression's economic devastation. Spearheaded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the New Deal aimed to stabilize the economy, provide jobs, and restore public confidence through a series of government programs and reforms. Initiatives included the creation of Social Security, the establishment of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the regulation of the banking system through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This comprehensive approach sought long-term changes in American society and laid the foundation for future social welfare policies.