Unemployment and poverty pervaded American society during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Fatherless children ran abundantly through the streets. Money had no value except for toilet paper. Many families were evicted from their homes, marriages were delayed, and the birth rate dropped. The economic collapse of the 1930s was terrifying. For about seven years, Americans suffered greatly during the Great Depression until, in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt began his First Hundred Days campaign, which led to the initiation of government assistance programs. As the years passed, other government assistance programs were created and the old ones were transformed. Today there are numerous government assistance programs ranging from food needs to unemployment problems. Having a wide range of government assistance programs has its pros and cons, which will significantly affect the financial, social and emotional situation of the society, as well as the future of the nation. The government provides enough government programs to share assistance with 317,018,130+ Americans, leading them to have a huge impact on America. They provide many financial benefits to Americans, such as a safety net in case of hardship, additional benefits to support post-retirement income, and job opportunities. During difficult times, assistance programs can offer people a way to stay out of poverty. In 2012, Social Security kept about 21.4 million people out of poverty, while unemployment benefits helped another 2.3 million out of poverty. Without government assistance programs, many Americans would live in poverty, which could lead to increased crime rates, high school dropouts, and the eviction of many families from their homes. Life without… middle of paper… society could simply come together as a nation. The future may appear uncertain in the field of government assistance, but hopefully Americans can overcome their differences and help each other during this difficult time for the nation. NP Network. 5 November 2013. .. NP. Network. November 5, 2013. .Kathleen, short. United States. United States Department of Commerce. Supplemental Measurement of Poverty Research: 2012. Web. .Robert, Galbraith. nd, n. page .Travis, Waldron. nd, n. page .United States. US Departments of Labor. Benefits.gov. Network. .United States. United States Social Security Administration. Social Security Quick Facts & Figures, 2013. Web. .