Research Guides: HIST 490: Cultural History of the Cold War: Government Documents

Introduction

Governmental documents can provide insight into decisions behind policies and law. The following resources provide access to treaties, hearings, laws, and memos.

Government Document Databases

ProQuest Congressional This link opens in a new window
Historic and current congressional information. Includes Committee Prints, Congressional Record 1789-2009, CRS Reports, Hearings 1824-present, Unpublished Hearings 1973-1992, House & Senate Documents and Reports, Legislative Histories, Executive Branch Documents 1789-1952, and the Serial Set. Coverage: 1789-present.
U.K. Parliamentary Papers (1715 to Present) This link opens in a new window
House of Commons Parliamentary Papers (HCPP) includes the complete file of House of Commons Parliamentary Papers, also known as Sessional Papers or Blue Books, dating from 1715 through to today. Also, ProQuest has partnered with the National Library of Scotland to create the very first digitised collection of 19th Century House of Lords Parliamentary Papers, providing online access to previously unseen and valuable historical documents.
Documents on British Policy Overseas This link opens in a new window
Provides users with access to a wide range of primary source documents from Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, shedding light on throughout the twentieth century. Selected and edited by the official historians of the FCO, Documents on British Policy Overseas includes many documents specifically de-classified for inclusion in the series.
Includes: British Documents On The Origins Of The War 1898-1914 ; Collected Diplomatic Documents Relating To The Outbreak Of The European War (1915) ; Documents On British Foreign Policy 1919-1939 ; Documents On British Policy Overseas
U.S. Declassified Documents Online This link opens in a new window
Provides online access to a broad range of previously classified federal records from 1900 to within the current decade. The types of declassified documents include intelligence studies, policy papers, diplomatic correspondence, cabinet meeting minutes, briefing materials, and domestic surveillance and military reports. Coverage: 1900-2008.

American Presidency Project
The American Presidency Project is a collection of presidential documents including speeches, memoranda, written statements, letters, etc. Can search by president to locate only documents relating to that presidency.

Government Documents Collections

Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776-1949 by Charles I. Bevans U.S. Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, compiled by Charles Bevans, is a 13-volume set is considered to be the most complete collection of treaties and other agreements entered into by the United States from 1776 to 1950. Volumes 1-4 of this collection contain the text of multilateral treaties in chronological order and by date of signature. Volumes 5-12 contain the text of bilateral treaties in alphabetical order by country. Volume 13 contains indexes by country and subject.
Call Number: Also in print: Swem Library Reference JX236 1968.A5
Publication Date: 1968-1976
Foreign Relations of the United States Series by Presidential Administration The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. The series, which is produced by the Department of State's Office of the Historian, began in 1861 and now comprises more than 450 individual volumes. The volumes published over the last two decades increasingly contain declassified records from all the foreign affairs agencies. Foreign Relations volumes contain documents from Presidential libraries, Departments of State and Defense, National Security Council, Central Intelligence Agency, Agency for International Development, and other foreign affairs agencies as well as the private papers of individuals involved in formulating U.S. foreign policy. In general, the editors choose documentation that illuminates policy formulation and major aspects and repercussions of its execution. Volumes published during the last three decades have expanded the scope of the series by including documents from a wider range of government agencies, particularly those involved with intelligence activity and covert actions.
Foreign Relations of the United States by US Department of State Digital facsimile of the Foreign Relations of the United States provided by the University of Wisconsin.
Publication Date: 1861-1958/1960
The Cabinet Papers by British National Archives The British National Archives have made available digital copies of the Cabinet Papers. Organized into themes to help with searching topic coverage includes diplomacy and foreign affairs, economy and infrastructure, and society and welfare of the state. Second World War documents cover Britain, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Far East.
Documents on Canadian External Relations, 1946-1963 by Government of Canada
Publication Date: 1946-1963
The Department of State Bulletin "The official monthly record of United States foreign policy." Available in print and online.
Call Number: Swem Library Stacks JX232 .A33
Publication Date: 1939-1989
Major Peace Treaties of Modern History, 1648-1967 by Fred L. Israel
Call Number: Swem Library Reference JX121 .I8
Publication Date: 1967-1980