Summary
After working together to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II (1939–45), the United States and Soviet Union soon became rivals in a political, economic, and ideological conflict known as the Cold War. This conflict led the two superpowers—one democratic and capitalist, the other authoritarian and communist—to support different regimes and political movements around the world. As the Cold War developed in the late 1940s, many Americans supported a foreign policy called containment that aimed to limit, or contain, the spread of communism from the Soviet Union to other countries. But some Americans feared that such a policy would antagonize the Soviet Union and increase global tensions—and perhaps lead to another war. Is containment an effective way to control the spread of communism, or a misguided policy that could trigger all-out war?
This eBook examines the debate over containment policy and delves into the pro and con arguments that surrounded it. It includes a timeline, primary sources, a bibliography, and a "Learn More About" chapter with more information on the topic.