What was the purpose of the Sherman Act?

The purpose of the Sherman Act, enacted in 1890, was primarily to address anti-competitive practices in the marketplace by making monopolies that restrict trade illegal. This act was one of the first federal laws aimed at curbing monopolistic behavior and promoting competition, reflecting a concern over the economic power that large corporations held at the time. By prohibiting contracts, combinations, or conspiracies that restrain trade or commerce, as well as outlawing monopolization, the Sherman Act serves to foster a competitive environment in which consumers can benefit from lower prices and better services. Thus, it plays a crucial role in maintaining a fair marketplace by limiting the power of monopolies.

The other options reflect different areas of law or social policy that do not align with the specific focus of the Sherman Act as a competition law. For instance, promoting labor rights and enforcing collective bargaining relates more to labor relations and worker protections, while regulating international trade pertains to laws governing cross-border commerce, neither of which is the primary intent of the Sherman Act.