Excerpt from President Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the Nation
Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea.
. . . But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions.
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 Statehouse, 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.
. . .
Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose. Because this need is so sharp and apparent I confess that I lay down my official responsibilities in this field with a definite sense of disappointment. As one who has witnessed the horror and the lingering sadness of war—as one who knows that another war could utterly destroy this civilization which has been so slowly and painfully built over thousands of years—I wish I could say tonight that a lasting peace is in sight.
Use the excerpt from Eisenhower's farewell address to answer the question.
Which of the following BEST describes the postwar concern Eisenhower is describing in this excerpt?
A.
the new economic prosperity
B.
the military-industrial complex
C.
the fight against communism
D.
the pursuit of financial growth
B. the military-industrial complex. The excerpt is discussing the growth and influence of the permanent armaments industry in the United States and the implications that has on society and the need for disarmament.
The correct answer is B. the military-industrial complex.
In the excerpt, Eisenhower is describing the conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry, which is new in the American experience. He highlights that this military-industrial complex has immense influence on various aspects of society, including the economy, politics, and even spirituality. Eisenhower recognizes the imperative need for this development but also emphasizes the grave implications it has for the toil, resources, livelihood, and structure of society.
Therefore, the postwar concern that Eisenhower is describing in this excerpt is the military-industrial complex. This term refers to the close relationship between the military establishment and the defense industry, where the production of weapons and military technology becomes a significant aspect of the economy and has far-reaching implications.