What financial reform was established by the Federal Reserve Act?

The Federal Reserve Act, passed in 1913, established the framework for the modern banking system in the United States. This legislation created the Federal Reserve System, which serves as the central bank of the country. The primary purpose of the Federal Reserve is to provide a safer and more flexible monetary and financial system.

By creating a central bank, the Federal Reserve was tasked with regulating and supervising commercial banks, managing the nation's money supply, and acting as a lender of last resort during financial emergencies. The establishment of this system was a significant reform intended to prevent the financial panics and bank failures that had plagued the U.S. economy in the decades preceding its creation.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the impact of the Federal Reserve Act. The introduction of a gold-backed currency, the abolishment of national banks, and the establishment of a barter system were not elements of the Federal Reserve's mandate or the outcomes of the Act. Instead, the Act aimed to ensure a stable financial environment and greater control over monetary policy by centralizing banking authority.