When did the first social policy programs appear in the United States, and what type were they? At what point did social policy programs expand, and in what way?

Question

Answer:

Answer 1

An ideal response will:
1. Identify the first social policy programs as going into effect shortly after the Revolutionary War, when the first programs were established to help soldiers disabled in battle and to provide retirement pensions for officers.
2. Describe how programs for veterans were expanded in the 1800s, including the establishment of the first old soldiers' homes and financial assistance for widows of soldiers.
3. Discuss how the number of social policy programs exploded during the twentieth century, beginning with the Great Depression when programs were created to help low-income, unemployed, and older citizens.
4. Note that by the end of the twentieth century, more than 2,000 social policy programs had been developed to address a wide variety of issues.