Final answer:
Otis was likely responding to political upheaval, as indicated by historical context involving political movements, technological changes, and economic systems transformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt, Otis was likely responding to - C. Political upheaval. This conclusion can be drawn from the context provided where options like economic factors such as deindustrialization, the rise of communication technologies, expansion of the transportation infrastructure, and a protective tariff hint towards political and economic changes. Additionally, the mention of the rotation in office and the expulsion of federal officers supports the notion of political movements and change that characterized the time period being described.
The period referenced includes technological change that amplified humanity's capacity to reshape the world, alluding to a time of great transformation in human society. This transformation could easily have included political upheaval, consistent with the historical context provided by rapid technological expansion, changes in economic systems, and social reforms. It is essential to note that without a specific reference to 'Otis' or a detailed excerpt, the response is an educated guess based on the supplied context.