GB 0099 KCLMA MFF 13-14 - Microform: Documents on British Policy Overseas, Series 1, volume 4, and Series 2, volume 2

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0099 KCLMA MFF 13-14

Title

Microform: Documents on British Policy Overseas, Series 1, volume 4, and Series 2, volume 2

Date(s)

  • 1945-1950, 1973-1986 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

29 microfiche

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The collection includes microfilmed copies of documents relating to British foreign policy, 1945-1950. The decision to publish a collection of documents of British policy overseas was announced in 1973 by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Alec (Alexander Frederick) Douglas-Home. This new collection was to include the most important documents in the archives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in two series covering foreign policy in the periods 1945-1950 and 1950-1955 respectively. Principally covered in this publication of documents are instructions sent by His Majesty's Mission abroad in execution of policy, by their reports of business transacted with foreign governments, and by records of negotiations and discussions at home and abroad. Also included are the semi-official correspondence and memoranda which developed following World War Two from Missions abroad and their briefs for the Secretary of State. The decision to publish a collection of British diplomatic documents was in accordance with previous practice in not seeking to cover by documentary publication the conduct of foreign policy during war. Chronological coverage begins with the Potsdam Conference and its preliminary meetings, Jul 1945, and continues through the early phases of the Cold War. The second series in the publication reveals the difficulties of the British Government in its policy towards Western European integration, the Soviet Union, the United States, and its shrinking colonial empire, 1950- 1955. This series began with the French initiative in launching the Schuman Plan, which sought to establish a European steel and coal controlling organisation, and continued on with documents which reflect Cold War British relations with Europe, the United States, the Far East, and its colonies throughout the world.

Archival history

GB 0099 KCLMA MFF 13-14 1945-1950, 1973-1986 Collection (fonds) 29 microfiche Official and semi-official missions, branches, and committees of the British Government, Dec 1945-Jun 1950

The collection includes microfilmed copies of documents relating to British foreign policy, 1945-1950. The decision to publish a collection of documents of British policy overseas was announced in 1973 by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Alec (Alexander Frederick) Douglas-Home. This new collection was to include the most important documents in the archives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in two series covering foreign policy in the periods 1945-1950 and 1950-1955 respectively. Principally covered in this publication of documents are instructions sent by His Majesty's Mission abroad in execution of policy, by their reports of business transacted with foreign governments, and by records of negotiations and discussions at home and abroad. Also included are the semi-official correspondence and memoranda which developed following World War Two from Missions abroad and their briefs for the Secretary of State. The decision to publish a collection of British diplomatic documents was in accordance with previous practice in not seeking to cover by documentary publication the conduct of foreign policy during war. Chronological coverage begins with the Potsdam Conference and its preliminary meetings, Jul 1945, and continues through the early phases of the Cold War. The second series in the publication reveals the difficulties of the British Government in its policy towards Western European integration, the Soviet Union, the United States, and its shrinking colonial empire, 1950- 1955. This series began with the French initiative in launching the Schuman Plan, which sought to establish a European steel and coal controlling organisation, and continued on with documents which reflect Cold War British relations with Europe, the United States, the Far East, and its colonies throughout the world.

Her Majesty's Stationary Office via Professor Lawrence Freedman, Department of War Studies, King's College London

Documents on British Policy Overseas, Series 1, Volume 4, and, Series 2 Volume 2, are microfilmed copies of documents relating to British foreign policy, 1945-1950. Part of a larger collection encompassing British foreign policy, 1945-1955, the microfiche in this collection relate specifically to Anglo-American relations, Dec 1945- Jun 1950. This collection is in two sections. The first includes documents relating to the establishment of an Anglo- American Cold War strategy; the exchange of atomic information and technology between the US and Britain; the use of British mainland and colonial bases by US armed forces; and the allocation of American funds to Britain as part of the European Recovery Program. The second section relates specifically to Anglo-American strategic and defence conferences which took place in London, Jan-Jun 1950. Documents concern the exchange of nuclear technology between the two powers; British and American political and military support to nations wishing to prevent communist insurrection; US involvement in the Middle East; the security of British and American sectors in the Federal Republic of Germany; British and American relations with Western European nations; and the strengthening of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

This collection consists of two sections, which are arranged chronologically therein. Many of the documents in the collection have corresponding reference numbers from the Public Record Office series FO, PREM, and CAB. Finally, in accordance with the Parliamentary announcement in 1973, the editors of the collection have had the freedom in the selection and arrangement of the documents.

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form

Copies may be printed off the microfilm for research purposes and are charged at the cost to the Centre. Enquiries concerning the copyright of the original material should be addressed to Her Majesty's Stationary Office
English

Summary guide entry on-line at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/archives. Published version of the collection also available, Roger Bullen and M E Pelly (eds.), Documents on British Policy Overseas (Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London, 1984-1987).

  Date of compilation: Oct 1999 Alliances Americas Caribbean Central government China Collectivism Colonial countries Communism Decolonization Diplomacy East Asia Eastern Europe East West relations Europe Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign relations France Germany Government Government departments Home , Alexander Frederick , Douglas- , 1903-1995 , Baron Home of the Hirsel , statesman x Douglas-Home , Alexander Frederick x Home of the Hirsel , Baron International conflicts International instruments International law International relations Middle East Military engineering Military equipment NATO , North Atlantic Treaty Organization x North Atlantic Treaty Organization North America Nuclear warfare Nuclear weapons Political doctrines Political systems Potsdam Conference, Jul-Aug 1945 Public administration UK USA USSR War Warfare Weapons Western Europe World wars (events) World War Two (1939-1945) Wars (events) London England Equipment

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Her Majesty's Stationary Office via Professor Lawrence Freedman, Department of War Studies, King's College London

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Documents on British Policy Overseas, Series 1, Volume 4, and, Series 2 Volume 2, are microfilmed copies of documents relating to British foreign policy, 1945-1950. Part of a larger collection encompassing British foreign policy, 1945-1955, the microfiche in this collection relate specifically to Anglo-American relations, Dec 1945- Jun 1950. This collection is in two sections. The first includes documents relating to the establishment of an Anglo- American Cold War strategy; the exchange of atomic information and technology between the US and Britain; the use of British mainland and colonial bases by US armed forces; and the allocation of American funds to Britain as part of the European Recovery Program. The second section relates specifically to Anglo-American strategic and defence conferences which took place in London, Jan-Jun 1950. Documents concern the exchange of nuclear technology between the two powers; British and American political and military support to nations wishing to prevent communist insurrection; US involvement in the Middle East; the security of British and American sectors in the Federal Republic of Germany; British and American relations with Western European nations; and the strengthening of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

This collection consists of two sections, which are arranged chronologically therein. Many of the documents in the collection have corresponding reference numbers from the Public Record Office series FO, PREM, and CAB. Finally, in accordance with the Parliamentary announcement in 1973, the editors of the collection have had the freedom in the selection and arrangement of the documents.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies may be printed off the microfilm for research purposes and are charged at the cost to the Centre. Enquiries concerning the copyright of the original material should be addressed to Her Majesty's Stationary Office

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Summary guide entry on-line at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/archives. Published version of the collection also available, Roger Bullen and M E Pelly (eds.), Documents on British Policy Overseas (Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London, 1984-1987).

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, King's College London

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area