What events in the twentieth century led to the expansion of social policy? What were the major policy initiatives, and what problems were they designed to address?

Answer:

An ideal response will:
1. Discuss the stock market crash and the Great Depression. This led to a number of major programs as part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The New Deal included legislation to provide benefits to the poor, to put people to work, and to create infrastructure. Many of these programs were designed to stimulate the economy.
2. Indicate specific programs that were part of the New Deal. For example, Social Security was designed to provide a minimum income for poor beneficiaries and ensure that benefits were related to the amount paid in by contributors. Programs such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children were implemented to provide assistance to the poor. Other programs were designed to help the disabled and the unemployed.
3. Explain that President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society programs were designed to solve problems in health care, education, and welfare.
4. Indicate specific programs that were part of the Great Society. These include programs such as food stamps, Head Start, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and housing assistance.
5. Discuss reforming welfare by converting Aid to Families with Dependent Children to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. This included limitations on receiving welfare.