Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Practice Test

What was a key feature of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal?

1. Increased military funding

2. Expansion of federal power without citizen's rights

3. Focus on relief, recovery, and reform

4. Reduction of taxes for the wealthy

The correct answer is: Focus on relief, recovery, and reform

A key feature of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal was the focus on relief, recovery, and reform. This comprehensive set of programs and policies was designed to address the economic turmoil of the Great Depression. The New Deal aimed to provide immediate relief to those suffering from unemployment and poverty, to stimulate economic recovery by introducing measures to improve industry and agriculture, and to implement reforms that would prevent a future economic crisis. Relief initiatives included programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Public Works Administration (PWA), which created jobs and improved infrastructure. Recovery actions included the National Industrial Recovery Act, which sought to restore fair competition and stimulate the economy. The reform aspect involved changes in the financial system, such as the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate the stock market and protect investors. The other choices do not encapsulate the core objectives of the New Deal. Increased military funding was not a priority of the New Deal programs; focusing on expanding federal power without regard for citizens' rights does not represent the New Deal’s intent of balancing government intervention with the protection of civil liberties; likewise, reducing taxes for the wealthy was contrary to the progressive taxation policies Roosevelt implemented to support his economic plans. Thus, the comprehensive approach of