What describes the main focus of the Sherman Antitrust Act?

The main focus of the Sherman Antitrust Act is to prevent monopolistic practices and maintain competition in the marketplace by restraining trade or commerce across states. Enacted in 1890, this landmark legislation's core objective is to prohibit activities that could lead to the formation of monopolies or attempts to restrain interstate commerce.

By targeting agreements and practices that inhibit competition, such as price-fixing, market division, or any conspiracy to restrict trade, the Sherman Antitrust Act aims to protect consumer interests by ensuring that no single entity can control a market to the detriment of competition and fair pricing.

Thus, the Act is fundamentally about preserving the integrity of free enterprise and preventing anticompetitive behavior that would harm both consumers and other businesses. This central theme is crucial for understanding its implementation and enforcement in various business practices, making “restraining trade or commerce across states” the correct interpretation of the Act's purpose.