Final answer:
Progressives wanted to regulate the food and drug industries, and the government sued the Northern Securities railroad trust for being an illegal monopoly that impeded competition. The Progressive Era regulatory efforts were a compromise for business leaders to prevent social unrest, yet they also feared potential overreach by a powerful central government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The progressives aimed to regulate industries to protect the health of consumers, specifically the food and drug industries. This can be seen in the implementation of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. Their concerns stemmed from an oligopoly in various sectors, where a small number of large corporations controlled a significant portion of the market, prompting the need for government intervention to ensure fair competition and working conditions. This level of control by trusts led to economic consolidation that discouraged innovation and could potentially lead to unfair practices.
One of the most noteworthy actions of the Progressive Era regulatory efforts was against the Northern Securities railroad trust. The trust was seen as an illegal monopoly that was stifling competition and, as a result, harming consumers and smaller competitors. This led President Roosevelt to order the Department of Justice to investigate the company, with the case eventually reaching the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of breaking up the trust.
Many business leaders accepted Progressive reforms as a compromise to prevent the potential uprisings and instability seen in other nations. They preferred mild regulation over the possibility of more radical change. However, there was also a fear that these reforms might pave the way for a powerful central government that could challenge private enterprise and promote social reforms that included economic, racial, and gender equality.