Questions: Question 23 2 pts What strategies did corporations use to avoid competition in the 1880 s and 1890 s? Large companies absorbed or bought out smaller ones. Businesses dismantled the system of "trusts." Giant mergers were divided back into individual companies. Industry leaders lobbied for a corporate income tax. Robber barons agreed not to manipulate the markets.

The answer is: Large companies absorbed or bought out smaller ones.

Explanation for each option:

1. Large companies absorbed or bought out smaller ones: This is correct. During the 1880s and 1890s, many large corporations engaged in horizontal integration, where they would buy out smaller competitors to reduce competition and increase market share. This strategy allowed them to control prices and dominate the market.

2. Businesses dismantled the system of "trusts": This is incorrect. In fact, during this period, many businesses formed trusts to consolidate power and reduce competition. Trusts were legal arrangements where multiple companies in the same industry would be managed by a single board of trustees, effectively creating monopolies.

3. Giant mergers were divided back into individual companies: This is incorrect. The trend during this time was towards consolidation, not division. Companies were merging to form larger entities to control more of the market, not breaking apart.

4. Industry leaders lobbied for a corporate income tax: This is incorrect. Industry leaders generally opposed taxes that would cut into their profits. The corporate income tax was not a strategy used to avoid competition; rather, it was something they would have likely resisted.

5. Robber barons agreed not to manipulate the markets: This is incorrect. Robber barons, a term used to describe unscrupulous and monopolistic business leaders, were known for manipulating markets to their advantage. They often engaged in practices like price fixing, undercutting competitors, and creating monopolies to eliminate competition.