TN Standard E.23: How the U.S. acts as the referee to promote business competition and fight monopolies.
Monopoly: When one company dominates an entire market and wipes out all competition.
Trust: A group of companies that secretly agree to stop competing and raise prices together (price-fixing).
Result: Higher prices, terrible service, and zero choices for you.
Sherman Antitrust Act (1890): The ultimate weapon. Made it illegal to form a trust or monopoly that restricts trade. Used to break up giants like Standard Oil.
Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Closed the loopholes. Banned specific shady practices like charging different prices to different buyers to kill competition.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The watchdogs. They stop unfair business practices, false advertising, and review corporate mergers.
Department of Justice (DOJ): The lawyers. The Antitrust Division takes companies to court when they break the rules of fair play.
Read the business scenario below. Are these companies playing by the rules of competition, or are they breaking antitrust laws?