Which U.S. policy aimed to reduce tensions and improve relations with the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

The chosen answer reflects the U.S. policy of détente, which emerged prominently in the late 1960s and into the 1970s as a strategy aimed at easing the intense hostilities characteristic of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The essence of détente was to promote more open communication, reduce nuclear arms, and foster a more cooperative approach to international relations. Key milestones included strategic arms limitation talks (SALT) and diplomatic engagements, as exemplified by the visits of President Richard Nixon to China and the Soviet Union.

This approach sought to establish a more stable and predictable relationship, recognizing the necessity of coexistence while still being mindful of the ideological differences between the two superpowers. The underlying belief was that reducing tension could potentially lead to better management of conflicts and perhaps even greater opportunities for cooperation on global issues.

The other policies—containment, rollback, and isolationism—represent fundamentally different strategies. Containment aimed to halt Soviet expansion, rollback sought to actively reduce communist influence, and isolationism favored minimal engagement in international affairs rather than striving to improve relations. Thus, détente specifically captures the intent to improve relations during a pivotal period of the Cold War.