During the Cold War, what was the primary concern for the United States?

The primary concern for the United States during the Cold War was the spread of Communism. This period, which lasted from the late 1940s until the early 1990s, was characterized by a significant ideological conflict between the capitalist bloc, led by the United States, and the communist bloc, led by the Soviet Union. The U.S. government viewed the expansion of communism as a direct threat to democracy and capitalism, prompting a series of policies aimed at containing its spread around the world.

The doctrine of containment influenced U.S. foreign policy, leading to military engagements and support for governments that opposed communism. This concern became particularly evident in various conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where the U.S. intervened primarily to prevent the spread of communist influence in those regions.

While nuclear proliferation was indeed a significant concern, as the arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union escalated, the overarching fear was centered on the ideological battle against communism itself. Global warming and trade agreements, while relevant concerns in contemporary times, did not play a central role during the Cold War era.