The Cold War significantly shaped US foreign policy, leading to a strategy of containment aimed at preventing the spread of communism. This policy was exemplified by the US's economic and military initiatives, such as the Marshall Plan and the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (KC-8.1.II.B)
After World War II, the United States adopted a foreign policy that sought to contain the spread of communism. This was a direct response to the perceived threat of Soviet expansion. The Marshall Plan was an economic aid program designed to rebuild European economies to prevent the spread of communism. NATO was a military alliance formed to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. Both actions reflect the US's commitment to a foreign policy of containment rather than isolationism, alliance with communist nations, or reducing military expenditure.