What was the primary foreign policy strategy of the U.S. during the Cold War to deal with the Soviet Union?

The primary foreign policy strategy of the U.S. during the Cold War to deal with the Soviet Union was containment. This strategy was developed in response to the perceived threat of Soviet expansionism and sought to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders. The idea was to contain Soviet influence through a combination of military, economic, and diplomatic measures, rather than attempting to roll back existing communist regimes directly.

Containment was articulated in various forms, notably through the Truman Doctrine, which provided support to countries resisting communism, and the Marshall Plan, which aimed to rebuild European economies post-World War II to prevent them from falling under Soviet influence. Additionally, this strategy led to the establishment of military alliances like NATO and involvement in conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War, all geared towards containing Soviet power.

In contrast, isolationism refers to a policy of non-involvement in international affairs, which was not characteristic of U.S. actions during the Cold War as the U.S. was actively engaged in global politics. Interventionism implies a more aggressive approach directly intervening in other countries’ affairs, which while present during the Cold War, did not serve as the overarching strategy. Detente, which refers to a relaxation of tensions and improved