America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

NSC-68, a fundamental document produced by the United States National Security Council in 1950, emphasized a stark view on the nature of negotiations with the Soviet Union, asserting that the Soviet regime was inherently aggressive and expansionist. Therefore, it argued against any form of negotiation as a means to achieve peace, positing that the Soviets would likely exploit diplomatic efforts for their own advantage rather than genuinely seeking resolutions. This perspective was rooted in a broader Cold War context, where the U.S. perceived the Soviet Union as a significant threat to global stability and liberal democracy.

The document advocated for a robust military buildup and a firm stance against Soviet expansion without relying on diplomatic negotiations to achieve security. This aligns with the chosen answer, which reflects the NSC-68's clear position that engaging in negotiations was not a viable strategy in dealing with the Soviet Union, framing it as a necessity to adopt a more confrontational approach instead.

The other options, which suggest various degrees of negotiation, significantly misrepresent NSC-68's ideology by implying a willingness to engage in dialogue with the Soviets. In contrast, NSC-68's foundational belief was that the United States needed to prepare for a long-term struggle against Soviet influence rather than relying on negotiations