What was the main focus of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War?

The main focus of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War was the containment of communism. This strategy emerged in response to the perceived threat of Soviet influence and the spread of communist ideology around the globe, particularly after World War II. The United States aimed to prevent the expansion of communism into countries that were not already under its sway, which shaped various aspects of foreign policy including military interventions, alliances, and economic aid.

The containment policy influenced significant events, such as the Truman Doctrine, which committed the U.S. to support nations resisting communism, and the Marshall Plan, which sought to rebuild European economies to deter communist influence. Additionally, conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War were directly linked to the strategies employed to contain communism. By focusing on this containment approach, the United States sought to maintain a balance of power and safeguard democratic nations from communist takeover.

Other options, although they played roles in specific contexts, did not encompass the overarching strategy that defined U.S. foreign policy during this period.