Final answer:
America was better positioned to compete with European countries due to the development of industrialization and technological advancements, bolstered by government policies such as tariffs and strategic assimilation of technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that helped put America in a better position to compete with the countries of Europe was B. The development of industrialization and technological advancements. America's industrialization led to a shift from farm production to manufacturing production in the nineteenth century, fostering economic growth and better enabling the country to compete on the global stage. In contrast to Europe's older, more established economies, America's emerging industries were bolstered by government policies, such as the imposition of tariffs to protect domestic products from foreign competition and encouraging consumers to buy domestically-produced goods.
Governments also made efforts to assimilate and implement cutting-edge technology by studying efficient industrial operations abroad and crafting policies to back innovative companies. This strategic approach included supporting the creation of production facilities and leveraging the abundant and inexpensive human capital. Through these measures, the United States was able to create a robust industrial sector that positioned it as a stark rival to European economies, particularly in the face of competition from Germany and Japan in the later 20th century.