What was the United States' main motivation for continued participation in the international arena after World War II? to rebuild Japan escalating tensions with the Soviet Union to sanction Germany for its war crimes mutual assured destruction

The correct answer is escalating tensions with the Soviet Union.

After World War II, the United States and Soviet Union emerged as global superpowers. Both countries were focused on spreading their power and influence during this time. With this in mind, the US federal government made it their goal to stop the spread of communism and the influence of the Soviet Union. The US government disagreed completely with the communist system and felt that this political/economic system severely limited individual freedoms. This idea of stopping the spread of communism is known as containment. This ideology is what drives America to get involved in the Korean and Vietnam War.