Question

Think about Standard Oil's business practices. In three to four sentences, explain why there was such a strong negative feeling toward the Standard Oil monopoly.

Use details from the lesson and reading.

Answer 1

Standard Oil’s ruthless strategy of buying up competitors and integrating control over refining, transport, and distribution let it dominate the oil industry and squeeze out rivals. It used secret railroad rebates, predatory pricing and other coercive tactics to cripple independent firms, then consolidated power to control supply and pricing. Because the company amassed enormous economic and political influence, the public and many reformers saw it as unfair, anti‑competitive, and a threat to small business and democratic institutions, which fueled widespread anger and calls for regulation.