Final answer:
Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act to regulate the economy and dismantle monopolistic corporations, contributing to his reputation as a 'trust buster.' He also enacted Progressive legislation, including the Hepburn Act, to strengthen government oversight of businesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roosevelt believed it was the responsibility of the federal government to regulate the economy directly and aimed to break up wealthy corporations using the Sherman Antitrust Act. This act was intended to empower federal prosecutors to ban monopolies as conspiracies against interstate trade. Roosevelt's efforts to curb the power of trusts and monopolies also involved creating the Department of Commerce and Labor, which included the Bureau of Corporations to investigate trusts and their activities. Under his administration, Roosevelt became known as a 'trust buster,' notably for his actions against Northern Securities Company that led to its dissolution.
Throughout Roosevelt's terms, he signed several pieces of Progressive legislation, such as the Hepburn Act of 1906, which reinforced the Interstate Commerce Commission's authority to regulate railroad prices and extended its jurisdiction. These actions were part of a broader Progressive movement that sought to use the power of the federal government to curb the power of corporate barons and bring about economic fairness and consumer protection.