During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

The main concern of the United States during the Cold War was communism. This period, spanning roughly from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was characterized by intense geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies. The U.S. perceived communism, as espoused by the Soviet Union, as a direct threat to democracy, capitalism, and the American way of life.

The fear of communism led to various U.S. policies aimed at containment, which sought to prevent the spread of communism globally. This included military alliances like NATO, economic initiatives such as the Marshall Plan to support European recovery, and involvement in conflicts around the world, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

In contrast, while fascism was a significant concern during World War II, it was communism that shaped U.S. foreign policy and domestic attitudes in the Cold War era. Nationalism and isolationism, while relevant in broader historical contexts, were not the primary focus of the U.S. during this specific period marked by the ideological battle against communism.