Although the United States and Soviet Union did not engage in a physical altercation throughout the Cold War period, there were other ways in which the U.S. tried to dominate over their communist counterpart. This page will help answer the question: "What did the U.S. want to accomplish during the Cold War?" The simple answer: "To stop the spread of communism and protect U.S. interests."
The U.S. wanted to obtain a strategic sphere of influence, which was any area in which the U.S. could exert political or economic control. By influencing the political climate of a region, the U.S. could help maintain democratic values and prevent communist beliefs from infiltrating these areas. By stabilizing the economies of these regions, the U.S. ensured that these countries would be capable of purchasing goods and services from our country, thereby strengthening our economy.
The U.S. also wanted to maintain its nuclear and technological superiority. For the U.S. to continue to influence countries throughout the world, it would have to have better military capabilities to remain the top superpower.
The U.S. established an extensive system of outlying bases to project American power. Aid was given to many countries often in return for American military bases being built inside those countries.
The U.S. established an extensive system of outlying bases to project American power. Aid was given to many countries often in return for American military bases being built inside those countries.
In an effort to sell goods and services and maintain a strong and stable economy, the U.S. sought access to the resources and markets in most of Eurasia. In the process, the U.S. also wanted to deny those resources from their prospective enemies (primarily the Soviet Union and its allies). In doing so, the economies of these countries would suffer and make it difficult for them to expand.