What was one of the earliest attempts to put a end to trusts and monopolies?

The Sherman Act is known as one of the earliest attempts to put an end to trusts and monopolies.

Offically known as the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, it was passed under the President Benjamin Harrison.

The idea was to develop level playing field for small and large businesses and basically protect entrepreneurs and their investments.

The Act attemps to prevent artifically raising or lower prices by controlling demand supply. It further attempts to prevent monopolies achieved and maintained through irregular or unethical methods, while leaving honest monopolies and competitiveness intact.