Florida US History EOC Practice Exam

The primary objective of the U.S. policy known as containment was to resist the spread of communism beyond countries where it already existed. This strategy emerged in the aftermath of World War II, during the early years of the Cold War, as American leaders believed that if communism could be contained within its existing borders, it would eventually decline and possibly collapse.

Containment involved various tactics, including diplomacy, economic aid, and military alliances, all aimed at preventing further communist expansion. Notable examples include the Marshall Plan, which aimed to strengthen European economies to deter communist influence, and military interventions in places like Korea and Vietnam. This policy significantly shaped U.S. foreign relations and military strategies throughout the Cold War period.

In contrast, expanding American territory, promoting economic prosperity solely as a goal, or seeking to eliminate all military conflicts do not accurately capture the essence of containment, which was specifically focused on addressing the perceived threat of communism spreading to new regions.