APUSH Study Group Wiki
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Summary[]

The Interstate Commerce Act was a federal law designed to regulate the railroad industry.

Exact Definition[]

The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 did two things:

  • established the federal government's right to oversee railroad activities.
  • required railroads to publish their rate schedules and file them with the government.

Importance[]

This act represented the first step towards giving government an important means in regulating big business.

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