Question

Ten years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union made the historic decision to open the strategic arms limitations talks, or SALT. The purpose of SALT, then as now, is not to gain a unilateral advantage for either nation, but to protect the security of both nations, to reverse the costly and dangerous momentum of the nuclear arms race, to preserve a stable balance of nuclear forces, and to demonstrate to a concerned world that we are determined to help preserve the peace . . . . If the Soviet Union continues to negotiate in good faith, a responsible SALT agreement will be reached.

–President Carter
State of the Union Address
1979

What were the purposes of SALT?

Check all of the boxes that apply.

To achieve peace

To protect the security of the United States

To form an alliance against communist nations

To stop the nuclear arms race

To give the United States an advantage over the Soviet Union

Answer 1

- To achieve peace — Yes (Carter says SALT helps "preserve the peace.")
- To protect the security of the United States — Yes (he says the purpose is "to protect the security of both nations.")
- To stop the nuclear arms race — Yes (he says SALT is to "reverse the costly and dangerous momentum of the nuclear arms race.")
- To form an alliance against communist nations — No
- To give the United States an advantage over the Soviet Union — No (Carter explicitly says it is "not to gain a unilateral advantage for either nation.")