George Kennan

About

George Frost Kennan was a renowned American diplomat and historian, best known for his advocacy of the containment policy against Soviet expansion during the Cold War. Born on February 16, 1904, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kennan graduated from Princeton in 1925 and entered the foreign service. He served in various diplomatic posts, including Geneva, Berlin, and Moscow, where he developed a deep understanding of Soviet politics and culture. His influential "Long Telegram" in 1946 and the "X-Article" in 1947 laid the groundwork for U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing the need to counter Soviet influence through economic aid and political pressure. Kennan's containment policy became a cornerstone of U.S. strategy during the Cold War, though he later criticized its militarization. He played a key role in shaping the Marshall Plan and served as the first Director of Policy Planning at the State Department. Kennan was a prolific author, winning Pulitzer Prizes for his works. He taught at the Institute for Advanced Study and served as ambassador to Yugoslavia. Despite his significant contributions, Kennan's influence waned over time, but his ideas remain foundational in understanding U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War era. Kennan passed away on March 17, 2005, at the age of 101.