The US policy of containment was a strategy put forward in the late 1940s to prevent the spread of communism and the perceived Soviet influence during the Cold War. The policy aimed to prevent the expansion of communism by providing economic and military aid to countries that were in danger of falling under Soviet influence or control. Containment was not just limited to military responses but also included diplomatic efforts, cultural exchanges, and propaganda to counter Soviet influence and promote democracy. The policy was outlined by George Kennan in his 1947 "Long Telegram," suggesting the need to contain Soviet expansionism and influence. This strategy was a key tenet of US foreign policy for several decades.