Identity area
Reference code
Title
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
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- International relations » Foreign relations » Alliances
- Government » Public administration » Central government
- Political doctrines » Collectivism
- Political systems » Colonial countries
- Political doctrines » Collectivism » Communism
- Political systems » Colonial countries » Decolonization
- International relations » Foreign relations » Diplomacy
- International relations » East West relations
- International relations » Foreign relations
- Government
- Government » Public administration » Central government » Government departments
- International conflicts
- International law » International instruments
- International law
- International relations
- Military engineering
- Military equipment
- Military engineering » Warfare » Nuclear warfare
- Military equipment » Weapons » Nuclear weapons
- Political doctrines
- Political systems
- Government » Public administration
- International conflicts » War
- Military engineering » Warfare
- Military equipment » Weapons
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English