Prior to industrialization, the government took a Laissez Faire approach to the economy. Aggressive business tactics and the treatment of employees forced government intervention. How did the government intervene?

In simple words, the given question relates to the gilded age. A philosophy that prevents government interference in the environment is laissez-faire liberalism. It implies that when what the legislation does is secure the interests of people, the prosperity is best. 

The federal government took substantial steps during the Gilded Age to change the societal as well as economic environment of the West. By constraining Native Americans to settlements and punishing those who resisted as state adversaries, the state replied.

straight down to hell mate