Of the list, the best answer is C) Automakers on the verge of collapse. GM, Chrysler and Ford (the Big 3 United States Automotive companies) were bailed out in 2009 following their request for a rescue bailout. This was controversial because, like other corporate bailouts that occurred at the time, the concept of "fairness" felt at best subjective and at worst disregarded. Some companies were rescued while others were not, and the American people did not have the privilege of an enormous bailout.
Some action was taken to insure sub-prime mortgages, and thus to help protect homeowners struggling following the housing crisis, but this was less controversial and also did not happen on such a large and immediate scale.
Mountains, highlands and rivers.
C because bonappetite needed $ to fight Britain and an embryonic EU
About 10% had been colonized by that time