i really only learned the intricacies of the game by doing a U.S. run because it's basically impossible to crater your economy. you have every resource and such advanced laws at the start and dealing with the South seemed scary at first (i did an early civil war and they just spawned massive amounts of troops). but then I realized it was easy to keep things calm and just only build industry in the north until you are looking at a civil war that lasts 1 month.

it gives you some margins to play around. you are powerful but not unstoppable. safe from direct great power meddling but you still have to build your own military and navy up from being very tiny. but the cash flow will stay constant.

it's a bit icky to do Manifest destiny stuff but you can actually play around and just not do it. you will still be powerful even if you just go "meh" and stop expanding and colonizing and just build up a sort of free trade alliance with nations that break free of their colonial masters and the little landlocked indigenous protectorates.

also i just build up in the best resource states, like focus everything in them until they are full and rich and move onto the next. Brazil is challenging because it's in a similar situation to the U.S. but without any of the advantages

just focus on the construction related industries and let your capitalists take care of everything else. as the state, you want the Commanding Heights of the economy, so build build build mines, lumber mills, tool factories and keep that stuff cheap. and universities when you can afford it. and don't worry about running a deficit

i really want to play ahistorically. and it's very difficult to get the U.S. socialist for some reason.

also i didn't know there was a new update coming this is the first i have heard of it