The most enduring effect of the Great Depression in American history is arguably the New Deal that emerged in response to it. In some ways the legacy of the New Deal can be measured in the tens of thousands of important structures built around the nation, from bridges, dams, and roads, to schools, parks, and hospitals. These projects, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Hoover Dam, were investments in the future of the nation, that we are still benefiting from today.
But the most significant legacy of the New Deal was the transformation it brought in America's concept of government: what the purpose and goals of government are, what the role of government is in people's lives and the nation's economy, and the power and size of government. These changes have been both praised and criticized, but one thing is undeniable, the New Deal permanently and fundamentally changed the nature of American government. Even today 75 years, many of the basic services, goals, and policies of our current government have their origins in the New Deal.