Which act made it illegal to create monopolies or trusts that restrained free trade?

The Sherman Antitrust Act is significant because it was one of the first pieces of legislation aimed specifically at curtailing the power of monopolies and trusts that hinder competition and restrict free trade. Enacted in 1890, the act makes it illegal to restrain trade or commerce among the states or with foreign nations, thus directly addressing the formation of monopolistic practices.

The act established that any contract, combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade is illegal, which laid the foundation for future antitrust litigation and enforcement. It also empowered the government to take action against entities deemed to be in violation of these provisions, promoting fair competition and consumer protection in business practices.

The other acts mentioned, while related to business and economic regulations, focus on different aspects; for example, the Clayton Antitrust Act builds upon the Sherman Act with specifics regarding mergers and price discrimination, and the Robinson-Patman Act targets price discrimination against competitors, while the Equal Employment Opportunity Act relates to employment discrimination rather than trade practices.