America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Mastering U.S. Foreign Policy!

The perspective that America should avoid fighting wars abroad aligns closely with the beliefs of John Adams, who, during his presidency, emphasized diplomacy and peaceful resolution over military engagement. Adams was cautious about entanglements in foreign conflicts, advocating for neutrality and focusing on strengthening domestic affairs. His administration prioritized the defense of American interests through peaceful means, exemplified by his approach to the Quasi-War with France.

While George Washington is also known for advising against foreign entanglements in his Farewell Address, his broader concern was for the newly formed nation to steer clear of alliances that could drag it into overseas wars. In the same vein, James Monroe later reinforced this idea with the Monroe Doctrine, which opposed European colonialism in the Americas but did not advocate for isolationism in the same manner as Adams. Theodore Roosevelt, on the other hand, famously adopted a more interventionist foreign policy, particularly in Latin America, with his “big stick” diplomacy.

Therefore, the belief that America should avoid fighting wars abroad is most accurately linked to John Adams, highlighting his diplomatic principles over military conflict.