Question

question 17 of 20
how did the idea of mutually assured destruction promote peace during the
cold war?

a. it forced both countries to stop building and destroy any weapons
that had nuclear capabilities.

b. it allowed both countries to inspect the others weapons to ensure
that none could cause nuclear war.

c. it provided an early-warning system to both countries in order to
alert them when a missile had been launched.

d. it prevented either country from attacking the other because of the
threat of an immediate return attack.

Explanation:

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) during the Cold War meant that if one country (like the US or USSR) attacked with nuclear weapons, the other would immediately retaliate, leading to total destruction for both. Option A is wrong as they didn't stop building nuclear weapons. Option B is incorrect as MAD wasn't about inspections. Option C is about early - warning systems, not MAD. Option D correctly describes how the threat of an immediate return attack prevented either country from attacking, as that attack would ensure their own destruction too.

Answer:

D. It prevented either country from attacking the other because of the threat of an immediate return attack.