Final answer:
The US government did not prevent capitalism in the early 1800s; instead, it supported a free market initially and then gradually began to regulate business practices to ensure fair competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The US government in the early 1800s did not actively work to prevent capitalism. In fact, policies during and after the Industrial Revolution tended to support the development of capitalism. Early on, the government's role was less intrusive in markets, emphasizing a competitive market free of interference. However, the late 1800s and early 1900s saw a shift as the government began to impose regulations on businesses to curtail the growing power of monopolies and "robber barons." Acts like the Sherman Antitrust Act and establishment of regulatory agencies represented these changes. Although initially the government supported a free market, they began to implement measures to ensure fair competition and to protect consumers and smaller businesses by the end of the 19th century.