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US Foreign Relations and International History: General Resources

This guide provides resources for historical research on US foreign relations and international history. It will highlight books, journals, databases, and government publications.

Resources

Official U.S. Government Websites that can help aid in U.S. Foreign Relations Research

  1. Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, Diplomatic Missions, and Offices Providing Consular Services
  2. U.S. Agency for International Development
  3. U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  4. USA.gov (the U.S. Government's official web portal to all federal, state, and local government web resources and services)
  5. GovInfo.gov (provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government)

Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS)

The Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) 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.

Search within the volumes, or browse volume titles by administration.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) - U.S. Foreign Affairs Resource Guide

The Department of State is designated as the agency to lead in the overall direction, coordination, and supervision of United States foreign policy and foreign relations, but records relating to various foreign policy issues are found among the files of other agencies, too. Since World War II, a "community" of agencies has evolved to deal specifically with certain specialized foreign policy issues. In addition, many other agencies have taken on important roles in American national security affairs. The subject and focus of your foreign relations research will determine the most appropriate records for you to use.

Click the link here to help you get started in navigating these resources.

Search Tricks for Finding Government Information Online

A large percentage of government information is available online directly from federal and state agencies and departments. Use the following search trick to help you as you begin your research:

  • Enter "site:gov + keyword(s)" This will search your keyword(s) on all sites that have a .gov domain.
    • Ex: site:gov u.s. foreign relations iraq 2005
  • You can also use this trick to search within a specific government website
    • Ex: site:usembassy.gov iraq 2005

Checking Out Physical Items From LSU Libraries' Government Documents Collection

Although the stacks themselves are located in the basement and closed to the public, physical materials found within the collection can still be used and checked out! To retrieve materials, go to the Access Services desk on the 2nd floor, or contact the department by email: libgovdocs@lsu.edu or by phone: 225-578-2570.

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