Final answer:
Before the Progressive Era, the government allowed big businesses to operate with minimal regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the Progressive Era, the relationship between government and big business in the United States was characterized by the government allowing big businesses to do almost anything they wanted. This was a result of the laissez-faire economic policy, which promoted minimal government intervention in the economy. The government did not impose strict regulations on big business and did not regularly sue them in court.
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