What policy did the United States implement after World War II to contain communism?

The policy implemented by the United States after World War II to contain communism is known as Containment. This strategy was developed in response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union and the spread of communism in various parts of the world. The idea behind containment was to prevent the expansion of communist power beyond its existing borders, effectively limiting its growth and influence.

Containment was articulated through various means, including military alliances like NATO, economic strategies such as the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, and direct intervention in conflicts where communism was perceived to be gaining ground, such as in Korea and Vietnam. The overarching goal was to maintain a balance of power and protect democratic nations from falling under communist control.

While isolationism refers to a policy of non-involvement in international affairs, containment actively sought to engage in global politics to stop the spread of communism. Similarly, interventionism involves actively engaging in foreign conflicts, but containment emphasizes strategic efforts specifically aimed at communist expansion rather than unilateral military actions. Expansionism, on the other hand, relates to the idea of extending a country's territory or influence, which contrasts with containment’s goal of restricting communism.