The theory of containment was a foreign policy strategy adopted by the United States during the Cold War to prevent the expansion of Soviet influence and communism around the world. The primary goal of containment was to limit Soviet expansionism and prevent the spread of communism, which was viewed as a threat to democracy and freedom.
According to the theory of containment, if the U.S. could keep the Soviets from expanding their power, over time, several things would happen. First, the Soviet Union would become weaker and less influential on the world stage. Second, countries that were under Soviet control or influence would gradually become more open and democratic as they were exposed to Western ideas and values. Finally, by limiting Soviet expansionism, the U.S. would be able to protect its own interests and maintain its position as a global superpower.
The strategy of containment was first articulated by U.S. diplomat George F. Kennan in a 1947 article titled "The Sources of Soviet Conduct." Kennan argued that the Soviet Union was inherently expansionist and that the only way to counter its influence was through a policy of firm and vigilant containment