The United States faced the worst economic crisis in its history during the Great Depression. A domino effect devastated every aspect of the economy, unemployment reached an all-time high, banks declared bankruptcy, and public frustration led to the highest suicide rates America has ever seen. . In the 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal reforms, which aimed to “reconcile democracy, individual liberty, and economic planning” (Liberty 863). The New Deal reforms were effective in the short term, but were criticized because they transformed the role of government and shaped the lives of American citizens. A competitive market makes a country stronger, but without regulation it can threaten the country's democracy. The President criticized big businesses for “keeping prices artificially high and failing to increase the purchasing power of workers” (Liberty 863). Franklin D. Roosevelt realized that large corporations that had acquired monopolies were gaining immense influence over matters affecting the government and the daily lives of American citizens. The early New Deal reforms were introduced not to dismantle big industries but to control them in such a way that they could never challenge democratic government. Big businesses took advantage of the freedom granted to them before the crash by exploiting their profits in the form of bribes or kickbacks. Corporations gained influence in government by financing the election campaigns of corrupt politicians who, in turn, would be blinded by the corruption spread by untouchable corporations to increase their profit margins. A change in strategy leads to a new perspective on certain issues. During FDR's term, many new reforms were passed under the New Deal. Some o...... middle of paper ...... government; this gave the government more control over social issues such as welfare and scrutiny of the economy when it deemed it permissible. New Deal reforms transformed government in the long term, but failed to recover immediately after the Great Depression. It was not until after World War II that the economy fully recovered. The reforms marked a turning point in American history. For the first time, the government intervened for the prosperity of the people. Give me freedom. The New Deal and agriculture. Page 867Foner. Give me freedom. The arrival of the New Deal. Page 863Foner. Give me freedom. The New Deal. Chapter 21Foner. Give me freedom. The NRA. Page 865Foner. Voice of freedom. Herbert Hoover on the New Deal. Page 174Foner. Give me freedom. The American welfare state. Page 877Foner. Give me freedom. The legal fight. Page 883