Question

How did president theodore roosevelt's "square deal" epitomize the notion that the federal government should serve as a steward protecting the public's interests? in addition, how did the goals and reform agenda of the progressive era manifest themselves during the presidential administrations of roosevelt, taft, and wilson?

Answer 1

Let me handle your first question -- always good to do one question at a time here.  :-)

Prior to President Theodore Roosevelt, those who preceded him in federal government had tended to side with industry leaders, expecting laborers to fall in line and do the work for the good of the companies.  In 1902, when there was a particularly tense strike by coal workers, Roosevelt invited both sides (labor leaders and management leaders) to the White House to negotiate. This was an example of the way he saw the role of government leadership as "steward" to the nation, mediating on behalf of everyone's interests, not just the interests of a powerful small group.  His "Square Deal" policies were aimed at making things fair and square for the general public.  An example of this would be how much land was set aside under his administration as national forests, national parks, national monuments, etc. He was seeking to protect the use of the land for all Americans' interests, rather than letting corporations tear into any land or forest they wanted in order to grab natural resources.

Answer 2

This answer is from soneyedesola44 on a different post, it is not my answer but it helped me out a lot.

To answer your second question...

When Roosevelt became the United States president, he introduced different policies under what is known as Square deal. These policies were meant to addresses some of the problems affecting the laborers and industry leaders. During the progressive Era, President Roosevelt implemented different policies that were meant to protect the consumers, control large corporations and the preservation of natural resources. The square deal helped the middle-class citizens and also protects the industries from incessant strike actions by labors. The square deal also plays a vital role in the protection of women and children in the workplace.  President William Howard Taft was hand picked by Roosevelt to continue the square deal policy. Taft strongly supported the square deal policy and also ensures there was a balance between employers and employees.  However, William Howard Taft later deviated from the continued implementation of the square deal policy by favoring the conservatives more than the progressive. Roosevelt was angered by Taft's actions and contested against Taft for the Republican nomination but lost out.  President Woodrow Wilson was a leading progressive during the progressive era. He fights for a stronger federal government and also fights for labor rights and legislation that were not protecting the right of the public.  As a leading progressive, Wilson reduces tariff and created the Federal Reserve System.  He also introduced the income tax.  Although Wilson also abandons domestic reforms to focus more on the war effort.

This answer is from soneyedesola44 on a different post, it is not my answer but it helped me out a lot and I hope it can help you too.