Antitrust Movement

Definition

The Antitrust Movement was a period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the U.S. government passed laws to prevent monopolies and promote competition in business.

Related terms

Sherman Antitrust Act: This law, passed in 1890, made it illegal for companies to form monopolies that interfered with free trade.

Clayton Antitrust Act: An amendment to the Sherman Act, this law clarified and strengthened previous antitrust legislation by specifically targeting corporate behaviors that reduce competition.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Established in 1914, this independent agency of the U.S. government is tasked with promoting consumer protection and eliminating anti-competitive business practices.