Progressive Movement Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The title of "trust buster" is most closely associated with Theodore Roosevelt due to his vigorous efforts to regulate and dismantle corporate monopolies during his presidency from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt believed that large corporations, or "trusts," posed a threat to economic fairness and competition, and he took significant action to counter their influence.

One of Roosevelt's key legislative achievements was the enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which aimed to prevent anti-competitive practices. Under his administration, notable actions were taken against major corporations such as the Northern Securities Company, a large railroad trust, which was dissolved following a Supreme Court ruling influenced by Roosevelt's administration. His aggressive approach set a precedent for future regulation of big business.

This commitment to reforming corporate practices and safeguarding consumers and smaller businesses is what solidified Roosevelt's reputation as the "trust buster." He viewed it as vital to ensure that the economic system worked for all Americans, not just the wealthy elite, making his efforts an essential part of the Progressive Movement.