In United States history, why did Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal effectively come to an end around 1938?

Introduction / Context:
The New Deal was a broad set of economic and social programs launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. By the late 1930s, however, the pace and ambition of New Deal reforms slowed significantly. This question asks why the New Deal effectively ended around 1938 and requires you to distinguish between real historical developments and common myths about the period.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The New Deal refers to programs from 1933 through the late 1930s.
• By 1938, New Deal reforms had largely stopped expanding.
• Several factors influenced this change: politics, economics, and foreign affairs.
• Only one option offers a historically sound main reason that fits the timeline.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, remember that Franklin D. Roosevelt won reelection in 1936 and remained in office. The Supreme Court did strike down some programs but did not invalidate every New Deal effort. Also, Roosevelt contracted polio in the 1920s, long before the New Deal, so it was not a new factor in 1938. The increasingly urgent threat of aggressive powers in Europe and Asia, alongside political opposition at home, shifted focus away from bold domestic experimentation toward defense and foreign policy concerns.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the timeline. The New Deal was most active from 1933 to about 1936, with some measures continuing after that. Step 2: Recall that Franklin D. Roosevelt won a landslide reelection in 1936, so he was not defeated at the polls. Step 3: Understand that the Supreme Court struck down some New Deal programs but did not abolish the entire agenda. Step 4: Remember that Roosevelt's struggle with polio began well before his presidency and did not suddenly end his ability to govern in 1938. Step 5: Recognize that by the late 1930s, new threats abroad, especially in Germany, Italy, and Japan, and growing concern over possible war, began to dominate national priorities. Step 6: Identify the option that connects the end of New Deal expansion with this shift of attention to overseas aggression, which is option a.

Verification / Alternative check:
History surveys and exam guides usually note a combination of factors: the recession of 1937 to 1938, a conservative political coalition in Congress, and the looming international crises. Among the options given, only option a captures a large, widely accepted reason that fits the timeline and does not contradict well documented facts about elections, court decisions, or Roosevelt's health.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is wrong because Roosevelt was reelected in 1936 and again in 1940 and 1944. Option c overstates the Supreme Court's role; while some programs were struck down, many survived or were revised. Option d is incorrect because Roosevelt's polio predated the New Deal and did not suddenly end his presidency in 1938. Option e is wrong because the Great Depression did not end in 1932; it continued through the decade.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that any slowdown in reform must be due to a court ruling or an election defeat. Another common mistake is to forget that foreign policy can shape domestic policy priorities. It is important to connect dates correctly; Roosevelt's health, election victories, and Supreme Court battles did not end the New Deal in 1938, but rising international tensions did help shift focus away from domestic experimentation.

Final Answer:
National concern increasingly shifted toward overseas aggression and the coming war in Europe and Asia.