A business trust is an entity formed by several corporations working together to consolidate a monopoly over an industry. What was the first landmark legislation meant to curtail the power of these monopolies?

A
.

the National Bank Act
B.

the Clayton Antitrust Act
C.

the Sherman Antitrust Act
D.

the Interstate Commerce Act

C. the Sherman Antitrust Act

The first landmark legislation meant to curtail the power of monopolies is the Sherman Antitrust Act, which was enacted in 1890. To confirm this answer, you can research the historical timeline of antitrust legislation and examine the details of each act mentioned in the options.

A.
The National Bank Act, also known as the National Currency Act or the National Banking Act, was enacted in 1863. It aimed to create a national banking system for currency stability but did not specifically address monopolies.

B.
The Clayton Antitrust Act was passed in 1914 and further strengthened the antitrust laws in the United States. While significant, it came after the Sherman Antitrust Act.

C.
The correct answer, the Sherman Antitrust Act, was enacted in 1890 and was the first federal act designed to curtail the power of monopolies and promote fair competition.

D.
The Interstate Commerce Act, enacted in 1887, primarily aimed at regulating railroad monopolies and ensuring fair rates for transportation. While it was important in regulating the transportation industry, it did not specifically target business trusts or monopolies in general.

So, the correct answer is C. the Sherman Antitrust Act.