How did the policy of containment lead to the cold war?

The policy of containment was designed to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders, primarily aimed at countering Soviet influence during the post-World War II era. This approach heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, as both superpowers sought to expand their ideologies and spheres of influence globally. As conflicts arose in various regions, such as Korea and Vietnam, the ideological divide deepened, leading to an arms race and a series of proxy wars. Ultimately, containment solidified the geopolitical rivalry that defined the Cold War.