Question

1. which feature of life in the early 19th century created a kind of fear and anxiety that gothic writers expressed in their work of horror or tragedy?

the nations aggressive, often violent approach to expansion
the nations reliance on a strictly agricultural economy
threats from european nations who wanted to limit expansion
threats made by surrounding countries to invade the u.s.

Explanation:

In the early 19th century, the United States was expanding westward. This expansion was often aggressive and violent, involving conflicts with Native Americans and the acquisition of new territories. Such actions could create a sense of fear and anxiety, which Gothic writers might express in their works. A strictly agricultural economy (second option) doesn't directly lead to the kind of fear and anxiety associated with Gothic horror/tragedy. European nations (third option) were not the main source of immediate, internal fear that would be reflected in the works in the context of the nation's own life. Surrounding countries threatening to invade (fourth option) also doesn't match the main internal dynamic of the early 19th - century U.S. life that would inspire such literary expressions.

Answer:

the nation's aggressive, often violent approach to expansion