The main drive behind most foreign policy of the United States, roughly from the end of World War II to the fall of the USSR. Said to have offically began with the Truman Doctrine (March, 1947). The idea was to contain Communism, i.e., to keep it from spreading to any other nations, particularly nations in the West, on the grounds that, if the Communist ideology did not spread, it would eventually crumble because of its inherent weaknesses.

On the basis of containment, the US has gotten involved in many shady things, including the Vietnam War and the installation of various two-bit anti-Communist dictators, especially in Central America and South America.

Con*tain"ment (?), n.

That which is contained; the extent; the substance.

[Obs.]

The containment of a rich man's estate. Fuller.

 

© Webster 1913.

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