The difference between make and force

Would you tel me the difference between force and make?

Do you think that in the following sentences, it is possible to replace "force" with "make"?

a. In an Aug. 18 letter to Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, the leaders of the two tribes said they were forced to act by both the drought, which has resulted in cutbacks in water use even in normally water-rich areas, and by Oklahoma City’s declared intention to pursue the export of water from Sardis, which is nearly 180 miles away.
(The New York Times, August 19, 2011)

b. But unlike other inns, which were forced to lay off employees or even close down, Isoda said she was able to retain all of Taikanso's roughly 200 employees, at least for the time being (The Japan Times)

c. Locals said some militants had entered the area two to three days back and had been forced to leave by tribal elders. (The Express Tribune, August 19, 2011)

d. Of course, Biggs has already made her views on the subject clear. During ‘question time’ in the final of the Australian competition in July, she was asked her opinion of child pageants (it makes a change from world peace). The 20-year-old replied that kids shouldn’t be forced to compete by pushy parents. “Children should be children,” she added firmly.(Herald Sun, August 21, 2011)

Thank you.