Which legislation aimed at increasing the federal government's role in the economy was enacted during the New Deal?

The Securities Exchange Act is significant because it was specifically designed to regulate the stock market and protect investors, thereby increasing the federal government's role in the economy during the New Deal era. Enacted in 1934, this legislation aimed to restore public confidence in the securities markets following the stock market crash of 1929, which was a pivotal event leading to the Great Depression. By establishing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Act provided federal oversight for the financial markets, ensuring that companies disclose accurate information and adhere to ethical standards in their operations. This regulatory framework was crucial in stabilizing the financial system and promoting economic recovery during a period of widespread financial instability.

In contrast, the Homestead Act was focused on land distribution and settlement rather than economic regulation, while the Federal Reserve Act, enacted earlier, mainly aimed at stabilizing the banking system rather than directly addressing individual securities markets. The Civil Rights Act, enacted much later, primarily addressed issues of civil rights and social justice, not economic policy.