Abstract: In the late 1970s,several Caribbean countries gained independence from British colonial rule,creating a “power vacuum” in the eyes of American government.Preventing other countries from making a difference in these new-born countries,US President Carter proposed a new Caribbean policy,hoping to use forces outside the federal government to strengthen the mutual connection between the United States and Caribbean people and enhance the influence of the United States in the Caribbean countries.The US State Department and National Security Council have developed a people-to-people strategy for civilian exchanges in the Caribbean region,integrating existing private volunteer organizations for use by the federal government,and making it an important tool for implementing government diplomatic strategic goals.Based on recently released archival materials,the thesis analyzes the process of carrying out the US government's people-to-people diplomatic strategy in the Caribbean,which is of great significance for us to understand the essence of US diplomacy.

Key words: Jimmy Carter, Caribbean, the people-to-people strategy, the Caribbean/Central American Action organization