What legislation established the Federal Trade Commission, aimed at investigating and preventing unfair business practices?

The Federal Trade Commission Act is the correct answer because it was specifically enacted in 1914 to establish the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as an independent agency of the United States government. The FTC was created to protect consumers by investigating and preventing unfair or deceptive business practices, ensuring fair competition in the marketplace. This legislation laid the groundwork for the FTC's authority to oversee various business practices and enforce laws related to consumer protection and antitrust issues.

While the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Sherman Antitrust Act also address issues related to competition and business practices, they are primarily focused on regulating monopolistic behavior and maintaining market competition. The Wheeler-Lea Act further strengthened the FTC's powers by prohibiting misleading advertising, but it does not establish the FTC itself. Thus, the Federal Trade Commission Act is the foundational legislation that created the FTC and defined its primary purpose.