The rapid growth of railways in Britain during the Industrial Revolution can be attributed to several factors, but the best answer among the provided options is:
c) The British government encouraged competition to maximize growth.
During the Industrial Revolution, the British government supported the expansion of railways through investments, legislation, and the reduction of legal barriers, which fostered competition among railway companies. This led to rapid construction and innovation in railway technology, significantly boosting transportation of goods and people.
While the other options contain elements that may have influenced the context of railway expansion, they do not capture the primary reasons as accurately as option c.