Part 5/8:
Politically, these early populist movements were met with skepticism and resistance from those benefiting from the monopolistic structures. In the wake of economic downturns, such as the Long Depression and bank failures, populist sentiments swayed legislative actions, challenging the monopolistic status quo. Regulatory measures aimed to dismantle large trusts and to safeguard competition, yet the effectiveness of such legislation was often hindered by ambiguous language and powerful opposition from interests deeply embedded within political frameworks.