The significance of the federal welfare system created during the New Deal lay in its role in providing economic security and social support for the vulnerable. Established in response to the Great Depression, programs like Social Security aimed at safeguarding the elderly, unemployed, and disabled. The welfare system marked a transformative shift in government responsibility towards its citizens, ensuring that basic needs were met during economic hardships. This initiative not only aimed to alleviate poverty but also reflected a growing recognition of social justice, influencing subsequent policies and shaping the social safety net in the U.S.