Question 9 (1 point) The policy of containment was: A trade agreement between nations A military defense strategy A policy to stop communist expansion An environmental protection plan

The policy of containment was primarily a strategic response developed in the late 1940s to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders, particularly as the Cold War tensions escalated. This doctrine shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades and led to involvement in various conflicts around the world, highlighting the ideological battle between capitalism and communism. Think of this policy like the world's biggest game of "keep away." The United States aimed to curb the influence of the Soviet Union by supporting governments and movements that resisted communism. This led to significant involvement in places like Vietnam and Korea, where the U.S. tried to stave off what they viewed as the domino effect of communist takeovers in other nations. It introduced the American public to complex international politics and military engagements that would become common in the ensuing decades.