9. Select the best answer. Foreign countries convinced the United States to form a stronger federal government by __ sending gifts to build Washington, D.C. invading the western territories taking advantage of the young republic sending lawmakers to encourage Americans

## Step 1<br />The question is asking us to identify the method that foreign countries used to convince the United States to form a stronger federal government. The options provided are:<br />- Sending gifts to build Washington, D.C.<br />- Invading the western territories<br />- Taking advantage of the young republic<br />- Sending lawmakers to encourage Americans<br /><br />## Step 2<br />We need to consider each option and determine which one is the most likely method used by foreign countries to convince the United States to form a stronger federal government.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The first option, "sending gifts to build Washington, D.C.", is not a likely method. While gifts can be used to influence people, it is unlikely that foreign countries would use this method to convince the United States to form a stronger federal government.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The second option, "invading the western territories", is also unlikely. Invasion is a hostile act and would not be a method used to convince a country to form a stronger government.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />The third option, "taking advantage of the young republic", is a plausible method. Foreign countries could have taken advantage of the weaknesses of the young republic to convince the United States to form a stronger federal government.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />The fourth option, "sending lawmakers to encourage Americans", is also unlikely. Sending lawmakers to encourage Americans would not be a method used by foreign countries to convince the United States to form a stronger federal government.