Definition: The 'Long Telegram' was sent by George Kennan from the United States Embassy in Moscow to Washington, where it was received on February 22nd 1946. The telegram was prompted by US enquiries about Soviet behaviour, especially with regards to their refusal to join the newly created World Bank and International Monetary Fund. In his text, Kennan outlined Soviet belief and practice and proposed the policy of 'containment', making the Telegram a key document in the history of the Cold War. The name 'long' derives from the telegram's 8000 word length.
Examples: Containment was first outlined in George Kennan's 'Long Telegram' sent from his position in the US Embassy in Moscow to the United States.
