America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

George Kennan is credited as the father of the containment policy due to his pivotal role in formulating the U.S. strategy to counter Soviet expansion during the early Cold War. In his 1946 Long Telegram, Kennan articulated the idea that the Soviet Union was fundamentally opposed to the West and would seek to expand its influence wherever possible. He argued that the United States needed to adopt a strategy of containment to prevent the further spread of communism, which became a cornerstone of American foreign policy throughout the Cold War.

Kennan's ideas were influential in shaping the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, both of which aimed to strengthen Western Europe against potential Soviet influence. The strategic approach outlined by Kennan provided a framework for U.S. foreign policy that emphasized diplomacy, economic aid, and military readiness to counter threats without direct confrontation, especially during the height of the Cold War. This perspective shaped U.S. engagements worldwide and established a long-term stance against communism, all of which is why Kennan is often recognized as the architect of containment.