Before the cultural Cold Wars: American philanthropy and cultural diplomacy in the interwar years

Rietzler, Katharina (2011) Before the cultural Cold Wars: American philanthropy and cultural diplomacy in the interwar years. Historical Research, 84 (223). pp. 148-164. ISSN 0950 3471

[img] PDF - Accepted Version
Download (248kB)

Abstract

The absence of formal state structures for the conduct of cultural relations until 1938 has led to the assumption that Americans abandoned a noble tradition of liberal cultural exchange in the Cold War, when state and private organizations co-operated in a propaganda battle against the Soviet Union. This article re-examines the realities of American cultural diplomacy in inter-war Europe by focusing on a group of key actors: philanthropic foundations founded by the Rockefeller and the Carnegie families. Far from being apolitical, foundations operated with the tacit approval of the state and reliably furthered American interests abroad but their non-governmental status also made them vulnerable to foreign intelligence.

Item Type: Article
Schools and Departments: School of History, Art History and Philosophy > History
Subjects: E History America > E151 United States (General) > E0740 Twentieth century
E History America > E151 United States (General)
Depositing User: Fiona Allan
Date Deposited: 26 Mar 2015 14:34
Last Modified: 06 Mar 2017 15:18
URI: http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/53520

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update