What is the history of antitrust law in the US?

The history of antitrust law in the US dates back to the late 19th century, when it was enacted to help keep prices low and prevent monopolies from forming. It was during this time that the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was passed, which was the first federal law to regulate trusts, or large business organizations that tried to dominate certain markets. The Sherman Act made it illegal to form a monopoly or to use certain tactics that gave one business an unfair advantage over competitors. However, the law was not widely enforced until the Teddy Roosevelt administration, when federal courts began to clamp down on large trusts. The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 was also passed at this time, providing further direction to how the Sherman Act was to be enforced. In the decades that followed, antitrust law was further clarified and strengthened, with landmark court decisions made in the 1940s and 1950s. By the end of the 20th century, antitrust law had been extended to cover other areas of business, such as intellectual property and communications. California also has its own antitrust laws, which are meant to be enforced in addition to federal statutes. These laws are designed to protect consumers and ensure that competition is fair and open among businesses.

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What is the history of antitrust law in the US?

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