What is the primary goal of trust-busting during the Progressive Era?

• A. Protect large corporations from government regulation.
• B. Eliminate all labor unions.
• C. Expand government subsidies to trusts.
• D. Break up monopolies to promote competition.

Answer: (D)

Trust-busting during the Progressive Era centers on breaking up monopolies to promote competition. When one company dominates an industry, it can fix prices, limit choices, and push out rivals, which hurts consumers and stifles innovation. Reformers used antitrust laws to challenge and dissolve trusts that restrained trade, aiming to restore a market where many firms can compete fairly. This crop of actions sought to curb concentrated economic power and protect the public interest, not to shield large corporations, eliminate labor unions, or subsidies for trusts.