Foreign Policy Effect of the Cold War in the United States

Introduction to Foreign Policy Effect of the Cold War

The direction of U.S. foreign policy was affected further by the onset of the Cold War, the post-1945 struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. In March 1947, when President Harry S. Truman announced that the United States would lead a global effort to combat Communism, both U.S. Congress and the American public rallied to his support. Truman’s new policy later became known as the Truman Doctrine. Truman instituted a policy of containment to thwart Soviet expansion efforts. That policy led the United States into forging a series of military alliances around the world. The country also started to provide substantial amounts of foreign aid to friendly nations, and to alert the American public and the world to the perceived dangers of Communism. Truman’s policy led the United States into a series of conflicts, including the Korean War (1950-1953) and the Vietnam War (1959-1975).” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Foreign Policy Effect of the Cold War in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Foreign Policy Effect of the Cold War