Trusts took control over like the whole industry - literally.
This could become a huge risk over other small businesses. They made them run out of money, which lead to a decline, and eventually, the business would close.
Trusts basically went like this:
A guy takes control over what the industries do. He makes sure that their is no competition and runs the other's outa business. Sorta has to do with a monopoly.
Robber Baron did something similar to what Rockefeller did. He took control by using a trust in the oil industry, and became wealthy.