The response that is best supported by evidence regarding the impact of the Cold War on racial tensions within the U.S. is:
Over time, U.S. policy makers became aware that the U.S. needed to address issues such as racial segregation and discrimination as part of its larger Cold War strategy.
This statement is backed by historical evidence showing that during the Cold War, U.S. leaders recognized that racial discrimination and segregation undermined America's position in the global arena, particularly in the context of promoting democracy and opposing communism. Notable events, such as the Civil Rights Movement, prompted U.S. leaders to take more definitive actions regarding civil rights as a means of improving the country's image abroad and maintaining legitimacy in the fight against the Soviet Union’s ideological claims.