How we cite our quotes: (Part.Sentence)
Quote #1
We now stand ten years past the midpoint of a century that has witnessed four major wars among great nations. Three of these involved our own country. Despite these holocausts America is today the strongest, the most influential and most productive nation in the world. Understandably proud of this pre-eminence, we yet realize that America's leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment. (II.1-4)
Although the U.S. has been at war in recent decades, the latest conflicts pale in comparison to the "four major wars" Ike refers to here. Holocaust isn't a strong enough word, and really, there just aren't words for the destruction and suffering of the early 20th century. It's important to remember that when reading about the policies and rhetoric of the time.
Quote #2
Progress toward these noble goals is persistently threatened by the conflict now engulfing the world. It commands our whole attention, absorbs our very beings. We face a hostile ideology-global in scope, atheistic in character, ruthless in purpose, and insidious in method. Unhappily the danger it poses promises to be of indefinite duration. (III.4-7)
For decades, America had a constant enemy—Soviet communism— that was used to justify all sorts of campaigns, interventions, and modern-day witch hunts. To Ike's dismay, the Cold War used up huge amounts of American resources, labor, and energy. Too often, the ideals of freedom Ike spoke about were trampled on because of the perception of an imminent mortal danger. Plenty of politicians like Richard Nixon and Joseph McCarthy milked those perceptions to further their political careers.
Quote #3
A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. (IV. 1-2)
There's a lot to recommend this attitude, whether you're a nation-state or an individual living in a rough neighborhood (it's good to know some martial arts if you ever have to defend yourself, is what we're saying). But how mighty is mighty enough? That's exactly what kept Ike awake nights.
Quote #4
Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United State corporations.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence—economic, political, even spiritual—is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. (IV. 4-13)
Because modern-day America has inherited this machinery, it's hard to imagine the less "mobilized" past. The Founders never envisioned a standing army; they'd just call up the troops as needed when things got scary. Supporting a professional army would have been too expensive and, as James Madison said, "not a safe companion to liberty" (source). After WWII not only did we have a standing army, we had a massive arms business supporting it. Ike clearly thought we'd created a monster that now was invested in keeping itself big, powerful, and profitable.
Quote #5
Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose difference, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose. Because this need is so sharp and apparent I confess that I lay down my official responsibilities in this field with a definite sense of disappointment. As one who has witnessed the horror and the lingering sadness of war—as one who knows that another war could utterly destroy this civilization which has been so slowly and painfully built over thousands of years—I wish I could say tonight that a lasting peace is in sight.
Happily, I can say that war has been avoided. Steady progress toward our ultimate goal has been made. But, so much remains to be done. As a private citizen, I shall never cease to do what little I can to help the world advance along that road. (VI. 5-12)
This is really the crux of Ike's philosophy of war. America fought in WWII to end it. It fought the Cold War to protect the West from the Soviets. Always, in Ike's mind, war was fought for the purpose of a future peace. And in the case of the Cold War, it was fought only on the margins of the world stage, so that no hot war between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. would be risked. More than almost anyone, he knows how high the stakes are in this game.