Question

select the correct answer. read the following excerpt. this conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the american experience. the total influence—economic, political, even spiritual—is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the federal government. we recognize the imperative need for this development. yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. our toil, resources, and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. in the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. the potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. we must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. we should take nothing for granted. only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together. — president dwight d. eisenhower, military industrial complex speech, 1961 which development is eisenhower trying to warn americans against? a. the possibility of higher taxes in the united states to fund domestic and foreign policies b. the danger of increased tensions with the soviet union over stockpiled nuclear weapons c. the unacceptable increase in the amount of money spent on national security d. the excessive influence on the country of the armed forces and big business

Explanation:

The excerpt from Eisenhower's speech mentions the "military - industrial complex" and warns against the "unwarranted influence" of this complex (the armed forces and big business related to arms industry) on the country. Option A is about taxes, which is not mentioned. Option B is about tensions with the Soviet Union over nuclear weapons, not the focus here. Option C is about money spent on national security, but the main concern is the influence of the military - industrial complex, not just the money spent. Option D matches the warning about the excessive influence of the armed forces and big business (military - industrial complex) on the country.

Answer:

D. the excessive influence on the country of the armed forces and big business