Final answer:
The NSC-68 shift, marking the Soviet Union as a significant threat and shaping US Cold War foreign policy, occurred in 1950.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pivotal NSC-68 shift in US policy was made in 1950. This document, emerged from the National Security Council, marked a significant change in the United States' approach to the Cold War. It outlined the perception of the Soviet Union as a direct threat to the American way of life and advocated for a robust military and defensive strategy to counter communism.
It was issued in response to the growing belief that the Soviet Union posed a direct threat to American values and way of life. This document influenced the decision to adopt a more aggressive stance towards the Soviets, leading to increased defense spending and a focus on containing Soviet expansion.
The principles outlined in NSC-68 became a cornerstone of US foreign policy and guided the nation's military and diplomatic strategies during this era.