Massive Retaliation (1954) John Foster Dulles

Massive Retaliation (1954)
John Foster Dulles
We want, for ourselves and the other free nations, a maximum deterrent at a bearable cost. . . . Local defense will always be important. But there is no local defense whichalone will contain the mighty land power of the Communist world. Local defenses must be reinforced by the further deterrent of massive retaliatory power. A potential aggressor mustknow that he cannot always prescribe battle conditions that suit him. . . .
The way to deter aggression is for the free community to be willing and able to respond vigorously at places and with means of its own choosing. . . .
If we can deter such aggression as would mean general war, and that is our confident resolve, then we can let time and fundamentals work for us.
-Dulles's statement reflects which broadly embraced assumption of Americans in the 1950s?

A) Eastern European nations could defend themselves if they were funded by the United States.
B) The United States should not be concerned about the costs of maintaining a strong military.
C) If the expansion of the Soviet Union could be limited, communism would ultimately collapse.
D) Americans should form local militias to defend their communities from communism.