What was the impact of the Cold War on U.S. foreign policy?

The impact of the Cold War on U.S. foreign policy was primarily characterized by the strategy of containment of communism. This approach emerged as a response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union and the spread of communist ideology around the world, particularly in Europe, Asia, and later in Latin America and Africa. The United States sought to prevent the further expansion of communism through various means, including military alliances (like NATO), economic assistance programs (such as the Marshall Plan), and military interventions in conflicts where communist movements threatened to gain power.

The adoption of containment significantly shaped U.S. political and military strategies from the late 1940s through the 1980s. Events like the Korean War and the Vietnam War were direct outcomes of this policy, as the U.S. engaged in active military operations to curb communist influence. Additionally, the Cold War led to the establishment of various intelligence and defense agencies which sought to monitor and counteract Soviet activities globally.

While there were movements toward global disarmament during certain points in the Cold War (like strategic arms limitation talks), the overarching behavior of U.S. foreign policy was distinctively focused on containing communism rather than promoting disarmament or adopting isolationist strategies. The idea of limiting military intervention