British Online Archives

This collection, curated in association with the National Archives (UK), provides an unparalleled insight into the political, economic, and military foundations of the post-war international order. The materials, which are diverse in nature, cover a wide range of subject matter, shedding light on the perspectives of various state and non-state actors during periods of both cooperation and conflict. The United Nations (UN), Marshall Plan, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and European Economic Community (EEC), to name but a few examples, are all accounted for.

In addition to diplomatic files relating to key organisations, agreements, and events, records of global commodity prices, including gold, oil, and food, feature heavily. Most of the documents are derived from the annals of the British Board of Trade (i.e. BT 64), Cabinet Office (i.e. CAB 128), Foreign Office (i.e. FO 371), and Treasury (i.e. T 274). Brought together here for the first time, these files are intended for use by academics working across the humanities and social sciences, from History and International Relations to Economics and International Law.

This resource will be of great use to researchers and students from different disciplines who wish to understand the treaties, institutions, and norms that led to the emergence and endurance of the post-war order and Cold War.

Dr. Bleddyn Bowen, University of Leicester

Key Documents

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Documents relating to the United Nations, 1944-1961

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Documents relating to post-war commodities, 1945-1961

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Materials on the alleged use of biological weapons during the Korean War, 1952

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UK negotiations with the EEC and EFTA, 1961

Editorial Board

Dr. Bleddyn Bowen Lecturer in International Relations https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/politics/people/dr-bleddyn-bowen Bleddyn Bowen is a lecturer in International Relations at the School of History, Politics, and International Relations at the University of Leicester, where he convenes the International Relations and World Order Masters course. His first book, ‘War in Space’, was published by Edinburgh University Press in 2020. Dr. Bowen also provided evidence to the UK Parliament on the impact of Brexit on UK-EU space policy and the Galileo satellite navigation system.

Dr. Kristopher Lovell Lecturer in History https://kristopherlovell.com/ Dr. Kristopher Lovell is a lecturer in History at Coventry University. Dr. Lovell's main research interests include quantitative and qualitative analyses of political reportage in the wartime press and the relationship between war and the media in Britain throughout the twentieth century. He teaches the political and social history of twentieth century Britain, war and the media in Britain, and media theory.

Dr. Danielle Young Assistant Professor of Political Science https://ozarks.edu/about/personnel-directory/danielle-young-ph-d/ Dr. Danielle Young is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at University of the Ozarks in the United States. She earned her PhD in International Politics from Aberystwyth University in Wales. She has an Mlitt in International Security Studies from the University of St Andrews and an MSc in International Relations from Aberystwyth University. Her research interests include International Relations theory, global security challenges, historical sociology and the history of the modern international system.

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Insights

In the aftermath of the Second World War, the triumphant Allied powers agreed to create a series of multilateral institutions and regimes to peacefully govern the emerging international system.

While some found support on either side of the so-called Iron Curtain, others were very much the product of the West and its particular interests.

The records in this collection illuminate the ideas, alliances, and antagonisms underpinning those interests, demonstrating how they influenced policymaking and ultimately shaped the post-war world.

Most of the documents come from the annals of the Government of the United Kingdom, and as such, provide a distinctly British and Commonwealth perspective on events.

This perspective includes civil society groups, such as industry bodies and labour unions, which had an important stake in the international situation, especially when it came to trade agreements and commodity markets.

That said, a significant proportion of the material was either produced by foreign governments and international organisations or deals directly with their concerns, influence, and behaviour.

The search function works best at Volume level, and for those requiring further information, can be used in conjunction with the National Archives’ Discovery catalogue.