The Sherman Antitrust Act was the first United States Federal statute to limit cartels and monopolies. The Sherman Antitrust Act (Sherman Act, July 2, 1890, ch. 1–7) was the first United States Federal statute to limit cartels and monopolies. Log-in to bookmark & organize content - it's free! Historian Charles Calhoun talked about Benjamin Harrison and his role in getting the Sherman Anti-Trust Act passed.