Progressive Movement Practice Exam

What was the main goal of President Theodore Roosevelt's trustbusting policies?

1. Reduce corruption in government

2. Save the nation's banks

3. Encourage competition in business

4. End strikes by labor unions

The correct answer is: Encourage competition in business

The main goal of President Theodore Roosevelt's trustbusting policies was to encourage competition in business. Roosevelt believed that large corporations, or "trusts," could stifle competition and harm consumers by creating monopolies or oligopolies. His administration actively worked to break up these powerful entities to promote a fair marketplace where smaller businesses could thrive alongside larger ones. This approach aimed to prevent any single company from dominating an industry, thereby fostering an environment where competition could flourish. Roosevelt’s commitment to regulating businesses and protecting consumer interests was a central tenet of his progressive agenda, reflecting a broader desire to reform an economy that he perceived as skewed in favor of the powerful. The trustbusting efforts were emblematic of his belief in fairness and equal opportunity in the economic landscape.