Question

The Strategic Defense Initiative called for
A ) cutting back on the production of nuclear weapons.
B ) increasing the United States' nuclear capability.
C ) designating over half of the United States' defense budget towards biological warfare.
D )creation of a large satellite shield in space that could intercept and destroy Soviet missiles.

Answer 1

The Strategic Defense Initiative, the intent of this program was to develop a anti-ballistic missile system in order to prevent missile attacks from other countries, specifically the Soviet Union, 

Answer 2

Correct answer:  D) creation of a large satellite shield in space that could intercept and destroy Soviet missiles.

Background/context:

When President Ronald Reagan came into office in 1981, he took a hard stance toward the Soviet Union.  Where previous leaders of the nations had pursued detente and nuclear arms reduction, Reagan spoke of the Soviet Union as the "evil empire" and ramped up American military preparedness.  He authorized a program to spend over 200 billion dollars over five years on bombers, cruise missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and more.

Then in 1983, Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which was a plan for a space-based missile defense system against any threat of Soviet missiles.  Sometimes people referred to Reagan's plan as "Star Wars."  More than 200 billion dollars were devoted to the Strategic Defense Initiative over the next four decades after the program was started.