Standard Oil Breakup: Regulate or Dissolve (1911)
by Anonymous
The Supreme Court ruled Standard Oil was an illegal monopoly. The choice was between heavy regulation (keeping it whole but controlled) or dissolution into competing companies. The breakup created the modern oil industry.
Dissolve into 34 Companies
1911
year
Break up monopoly into competitors
approach
Created ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP (Amoco), etc.
market effect
Chosen — defined antitrust law for a century
outcome
Regulate as Utility
1911
year
Keep whole but control prices and practices
approach
Government-supervised monopoly
market effect
Not chosen — trust-busting era favored breakup
outcome
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