Question

Roosevelt uses the term “square deal” in the second-to-last sentence of the excerpt. What has changed about the meaning of the term as used here?

Answer 1

Conservation means both development and protection.This generation may use resources today, but they may not ruin things for the next generation.We are poor stewards if we ruin the land and leave it worthless for our children.We are good stewards if we leave the land better than we found it.

Answer 2

In the first uses, “square deal” seems to apply to everyone. Roosevelt seems to offer everyone new and better opportunities under new rules. The final uses make it clear that a person has to “deserve” the square deal. The final uses make it clear that if people don’t make good on their chances for a “square deal,” they don’t get a square deal.