Question

Read this passage from Kennedy’s inaugural address. To what danger is Kennedy referring?

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course—both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind’s final war.

Climate change


Poverty and disease


Declining morals


Arms race

Answer 1

President Kennedy is referring to the danger of the arms race.

Answer 2

The correct answer is D) arms race.

The danger Kennedy is referring in this passage is to the arms race.

During John F. Kennedy inaugural speech, he referred to the danger of the arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Cold War had created many tensions between the two superpowers and the arms race was an issue for the Kennedy administration. In the passage, we can read: "...for only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed."

So the danger Kennedy is referring in this passage is to the arms race.