The primary objective of the U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War was to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders, particularly as the Soviet Union expanded its influence across Eastern Europe and Asia. Formulated in response to perceived threats from Soviet expansionism, containment aimed to limit the geopolitical reach of communism through various means, including military alliances, economic aid (like the Marshall Plan), and direct military intervention. This policy significantly shaped U.S. foreign relations throughout the Cold War, influencing events such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War while reinforcing the ideological divide between capitalism and communism.