Question

When an industry was monopolized by one company or trust during the Gilded Age, what happened to workers’ wages?
Workers often earned less because fewer businesses were competing for their services.
Workers often earned less because more businesses were competing for their services.
Workers often earned more because fewer businesses were competing for their services.
Workers often earned more because more businesses were competing for their services.

Answer 1

Workers often earned less because fewer businesses were competing for their services.

Explanation: A monopoly or trust reduced employers' competition for labor, giving the single dominant firm greater power to set lower wages and limit workers' bargaining options.