The Great Concentration

The Great Concentration refers to a period during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when large companies, known as trusts and monopolies, gained significant control over industries in the United States. These powerful entities often dominated markets by consolidating smaller firms, reducing competition, and influencing prices. This concentration of economic power raised concerns about unfair practices, stifling innovation, and negative impacts on consumers. It prompted government efforts to regulate and break up monopolies, leading to antitrust laws aimed at promoting fair competition and preventing excessive concentration of market power.