America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

President Carter's foreign policy stance is best characterized by an emphasis on human rights and a firm opposition to outside control in the Persian Gulf. During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, Carter significantly shifted U.S. foreign policy by prioritizing human rights on the international agenda. This was evident in his approach towards various countries where human rights abuses were occurring, and he often criticized governments that were supported by the U.S. previously due to their undemocratic practices.

Carter was particularly concerned about the stability of the Persian Gulf region, especially in the context of the Cold War and the implications of outside power influences. His administration advocated for self-determination and the importance of human rights, fundamentally opposing oppressive regimes, even when they were considered to be strategic allies. This focus on human rights and the desire to promote democracy marked a significant departure from previous foreign policy strategies that primarily focused on containing communism through military interventions or support for authoritarian regimes.

While economic sanctions, military interventions, and trade agreements are elements of foreign policy, they do not encapsulate the core of Carter's approach as effectively as the emphasis on human rights and sovereignty in the Persian Gulf context does.