What did President Roosevelt mean by a "square deal," and how did he try to achieve it?
My answer: By a "square deal," President Roosevelt meant fairness, as he saw the government as an empire, for workers, customers, and big business. To ensure both this and to root out "crookedness," Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act.
That's right, but not complete. You should add the three C's as explained in the first paragraph of this article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_Deal
By a "square deal," President Roosevelt meant fairness , as he saw the government as an empire, for workers, customers, and big business. To ensure both this and to root out "crookedness," Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act. He also meant this as the conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection. Thus, these demands aimed at helping middle class citizens and involved attacking plutocracy and terrible trusts while at the same time protecting business from the most extreme demands of organized labor.
Great!
:-)
To understand what President Roosevelt meant by a "square deal" and how he tried to achieve it, it is important to gain a historical context of the time period. President Roosevelt served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909, during a time known as the Progressive Era.
The Progressive Era was a period of social and political reform in America, where there was growing concern about the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few individuals or corporations, as well as the working conditions and rights of the average citizen. President Roosevelt sought to address these issues and bring about a fair and equitable society through his concept of a "square deal."
A "square deal" referred to Roosevelt's vision of fairness and justice for all, regardless of social or economic status. He sought to strike a balance between the interests of labor, consumers, and big business. Roosevelt believed that a prosperous society required fairness and a level playing field.
To achieve his "square deal," President Roosevelt implemented various policies and reforms. One of the significant tools he utilized was the Sherman Antitrust Act. This act, passed in 1890, aimed to regulate and restrict the formation of monopolies and the abuse of market power by large corporations. Roosevelt used this legislation to bring trust-busting cases against several powerful monopolies, such as the Northern Securities Company and Standard Oil.
Additionally, Roosevelt focused on labor rights and working conditions. He supported progressive labor laws that protected workers, promoted workplace safety, and set limits on working hours. One of the notable achievements during his presidency was his intervention in the 1902 Coal Strike. Roosevelt used his powers to bring the coal mine operators and labor unions to arbitration, resulting in fairer conditions for the workers.
President Roosevelt also advocated for consumer protection. He pushed for the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, both of which aimed to improve the safety and quality of food and drugs consumed by the public.
In summary, President Roosevelt's concept of a "square deal" referred to his pursuit of fairness and justice for all Americans. He used legislation like the Sherman Antitrust Act to regulate big business, implemented labor reforms to protect workers' rights, and promoted consumer protection measures. Through these actions, Roosevelt sought to create a more equitable and balanced society.