What unintended consequence arises from Rockefeller and Morgan's plan regarding Roosevelt?

• A. Roosevelt becomes governor
• B. Roosevelt is elected president
• C. McKinley is assassinated, leading Roosevelt to become president
• D. The plan is entirely successful

Answer: (C)

The correct answer highlights the unexpected outcome of the actions taken by Rockefeller and Morgan concerning President Theodore Roosevelt. Their efforts to manipulate political dynamics, including attempts to limit Roosevelt's influence, inadvertently led to a significant shift in power. Specifically, McKinley's assassination created a situation where Roosevelt, who was originally seen as a lesser political figure, ascended to the presidency unexpectedly. This event demonstrates how calculated political maneuvers can backfire, ultimately allowing Roosevelt to implement his progressive reforms and policy changes that significantly impacted the nation.

The other options do not capture the essence of this unintended consequence. Roosevelt becoming governor or being elected president in a conventional manner does not align with the nature of the manipulation intended by Rockefeller and Morgan. Additionally, stating that the plan was entirely successful overlooks the profound ramifications that occurred due to McKinley's assassination. This situation illustrates that sometimes efforts to control political outcomes can lead to results that are entirely unforeseen and transform the political landscape.