What were the goals of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War?

During the Cold War, which lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. foreign policy was driven by a central aim to counter the spread of communism and the influence of the Soviet Union around the globe. The key goals of U.S. foreign policy during this period were:

1. Containment: The U.S. aimed to prevent the spread of communism to new nations. The term "containment" was coined by American diplomat George F. Kennan and became the cornerstone of U.S. strategy toward the Soviet Union.

2. Deterrence: The U.S. sought to deter the Soviet Union from expanding its influence by building up a strong military presence, including a nuclear arsenal, to discourage any aggression through the promise of mutual assured destruction (MAD).

3. Defense of Allies: The U.S. formed alliances with other nations to create a network of mutual defense pacts. Organizations like NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) were established to protect Western Europe from potential Soviet aggression.

4. Economic Pressure and Aid: The U.S. implemented economic policies like the Marshall Plan to rebuild war-torn Europe and foster economic stability, which was viewed as a way to prevent the rise of communist influence in struggling nations. They also used economic sanctions to put pressure on the Soviet bloc.

5. Propaganda and Psychological Warfare: The U.S. aimed to promote democratic ideals and capitalism as superior to communism, using various means of communication and cultural exchanges to win hearts and minds around the world.

6. Space Race: Technological and scientific prowess, showcased by the race to space and culminating in the Apollo moon landings, served both as propaganda and as demonstration of U.S. superiority in innovation and technology.

7. Human Rights Promotion: In later years of the Cold War, particularly under President Jimmy Carter, the promotion of human rights became an additional means to contrast the freedoms available in democracies versus the oppressive nature of communist regimes.

Overall, U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War was driven by a zero-sum perception of global influence where gains by the Soviet Union were seen as losses for the democratic West, and vice versa.