Although the social structures did not change, how did merchants and craftsmen manage to grow as wealthy as their noble counterparts?

the answer to this question is the third option. hope this

they had many gains 1 one freedom for slaves the major cause of the civil war is that the   north wanted freedom for slaves but the south didn; t creaitng the civil war

another gain they have is poltiical influence

poltiical influence is a big thing everywhere even now peoplle are always trying to get the head up in poltics thats what they did by giving the republicians a good name for freeing slaves