What is the history of antitrust law in the US?

The history of antitrust law in the United States dates back to the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. The legislation was the first major federal law enforcement tool for preventing anticompetitive business practices and curbing monopolization. The Act was established to protect consumers and workers from unfair business practices which could lead to higher prices and lower wages. It prohibits restrictions on trade and commerce between states, as well as cartels and other anti-competitive practices. In 1914, the Clayton Antitrust Act was passed to supplement the Sherman Act. This Act addressed specific practices such as unfair mergers and price discrimination. It also provided additional protection to small businesses by prohibiting companies from acquiring a monopoly in a particular market. In Texas, the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act (TFEAA) was passed in 1989. The TFEAA was the first state law in the nation to expressly allow private actions for treble damages for antitrust violations. It also allows the Texas Attorney General to prosecute antitrust violations. Since the passage of the Sherman, Clayton, and TFEAA, federal and state antitrust laws have developed to protect consumers, workers, and small business owners from anticompetitive and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to promote fair competition in the marketplace and protect the interests of consumers and businesses alike.

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What is the history of antitrust law in the US?

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