Question

us self-defense

reread the excerpt from the state of the union speech by reagan.

\the sandinista dictatorship of nicaragua, with full cuban-soviet bloc support, not only persecutes its people, the church, and denies a free press, but arms and provides bases for communist terrorists attacking neighboring states. support for freedom fighters is self-defense and totally consistent with the oas and u.n. charters. it is essential that the congress continue all facets of our assistance to central america. i want to work with you to support the democratic forces whose struggle is tied to our own security.\
-ronald reagan, 1985

why was aiding the freedom fighters (contras) \self-defense\ for the united states?

• because the united states did not want communism to spread
• because the sandinistas planned to attack the united states
• because the ussr was not interested in protecting the united states
• because nicaragua had a protection agreement with the united states

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

The excerpt from Ronald Reagan's 1985 State of the Union address describes the Sandinista dictatorship of Nicaragua as having "full Cuban-Soviet bloc support" and "arms and provides bases for Communist terrorists attacking neighboring states." Reagan argues that supporting the "freedom fighters" (the Contras) is "self-defense" because their struggle against communism is "tied to our own security."

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "because the United States did not want communism to spread" directly aligns with the Cold War policy of containment and Reagan's explicit concern about "Cuban-Soviet bloc support" and "Communist terrorists."
• Option 2: "because the Sandinistas planned to attack the United States" is incorrect; the text mentions them attacking neighboring states, not planning a direct attack on the US.
• Option 3: "because the USSR was not interested in protecting the United States" is irrelevant to why aiding the Contras was framed as US self-defense.
• Option 4: "because Nicaragua had a protection agreement with the United States" is historically and contextually incorrect.

Answer:

• because the United States did not want communism to spread (Correct answer)
• because the Sandinistas planned to attack the United States
• because the USSR was not interested in protecting the United States
• because Nicaragua had a protection agreement with the United States