Read the following passage: people across the united states were angered as word of the incident spread and they demanded the government to declare war. jefferson understood how ill-prepared for war the united states was and determinedly looked for an alternative solution. the embargo acts that followed were his attempt at peaceable coercion. which option offers the best definition of the term peaceable coercion as it is used here? a. forcing the european powers to sign a treaty strategically created to favor the united states b. creating unpopular laws to protect the united states economy c. using an indirect military assault to protect the united states merchant trade routes to europe d. taking a diplomatic or legislative action to force the european powers to negotiate with the united states