Final answer:
The Fair Housing Act of 1968, not the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, prohibits discrimination in housing. The Fair Housing Act focuses on civil rights in housing, while the Sherman Act is concerned with competition and economic practices like monopolies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal law that addresses discrimination in housing is not the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, but rather the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act was established to prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was a critical part of the civil rights legislation aimed to reduce discriminatory practices against minorities in housing.
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act, by contrast, was primarily concerned with competition and free trade. It aimed to curb the formation of monopolies and trusts that could control market prices, which was necessary in an era when big business power was growing unchecked. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act targeted illegal and anti-competitive business practices, while issues of housing discrimination are covered under civil rights laws like the Fair Housing Act.
It is important to understand the distinction between these two pieces of legislation. While both have had significant impacts on American society, they address different types of inequalities and were enacted for different reasons. The Fair Housing Act specifically outlaws housing discrimination, while the Sherman Anti-Trust Act addresses economic competition and monopolies.