Final answer:
The United States experienced significant wealth growth in the 1800s due to industrialization, the expansion of railroads, discovery of mineral wealth, and an abundance of natural resources. Manufacturing and agriculture were key sectors, supported by a large workforce and advances in technology. By the end of the century, the U.S. had become one of the world's richest nations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States grew wealthy in the 1800s through a variety of industries and economic activities. The industrial age saw the rise of large plantations and the proliferation of railroads, which facilitated the movement of goods and connected markets. Vital to this growth was the discovery of mineral wealth, with gold rushes and mining operations contributing significantly to the nation's prosperity. Manufacturing also took off during this time, with factories and mills becoming central to the burgeoning industrial landscape, enhanced by technological and mechanization advances. Furthermore, America's vast natural resources, including timber, coal, and oil, and its productive farmlands for crops like cotton and tobacco, played a crucial role in its economic rise. Despite challenges, including exploited labor and the Civil War, the United States emerged by the end of the 19th century as one of the wealthiest nations, reinforced by its supportive political-legal system, entrepreneurial spirit, and a wave of immigration that contributed to its workforce and economic dynamism.