The result of tensions between these two countries was the Cold War, consisting of many smaller wars and lasting nearly 50 years. To combat communism, the U.S. president, Harry Truman implemented the “Truman Doctrine.” This doctrine opposed the typical U.S. ideal of isolationism creating a stance for the United States. This doctrine was established to show that the U.S. would assist all democratic nations under threat from authoritarian forces, specifically communist authoritarian forces. The Truman Doctrine ultimately developed the United States as a whole as it had given the U.S. a chance to destroy communism and rise as a superpower (U.S. Department of State.) One defense mechanism incorporated into the Truman Doctrine was called containment.