Archives Unbound:
Middle Eastern Studies
Middle Eastern Studies
Back to
Primary Sources
>
Archives Unbound
===Product Icon===
===Subject Collections===
• African American Studies
• African Studies
• American Studies
• Asian Studies
• British and European History
• Business and Economic History
• Cultural Studies
• Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
• Health and Environmental Studies
• Holocaust Studies
• International Relations
• Latin American & Caribbean Studies
• Law, Politics, and Radical Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
➡ Conflict in the Middle East
➡ Diplomatic History
➡ International Relations
• Native American Studies
• Religious Studies
===Subject Collections===
• African American Studies
• African Studies
• American Studies
• Asian Studies
• British and European History
• Business and Economic History
• Cultural Studies
• Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
• Health and Environmental Studies
• Holocaust Studies
• International Relations
• Latin American & Caribbean Studies
• Law, Politics, and Radical Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
➡ Conflict in the Middle East
➡ Diplomatic History
➡ International Relations
• Native American Studies
• Religious Studies
Archives Unbound: Middle Eastern Studies
Frequently studied and often misunderstood, the Middle East features a varied history and culture for indepth study. This collection provides a multidisciplinary archive of materials to explore the region's diplomatic initiatives, military actions, politics, economics, and natural resources.
Diplomatic History
Aden: Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1880-1906 - Aden's strategic location long made it a strategic asset. The British captured Aden in 1839, and it served as a key port on the route from the Mediterranean to India via the Suez Canal. The documents in this collection are sourced from the Central Files of the General Records of the Department of State. The records are under the jurisdiction of the Legislative and Diplomatic Branch of the Civil Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Iran (Persia): Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1883-1959 - The documents in this collection on Iran are sourced from the Central Files of the General Records of the Department of State. The records are under the jurisdiction of the Legislative and Diplomatic Branch of the Civil Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Iraq: Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1888-1944 - Iraq, from Ottoman rule through British colonial occupation and independence, is treated here from the perspective of the United States. The documents are sourced from the Central Files of the General Records of the Department of State. The records are under the jurisdiction of the Legislative and Diplomatic Branch of the Civil Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Saudi Arabia: Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1930-1959 - This archive divides into two distinct parts. The first part, 1930-1944, documents a critical period in the formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the second part, 1955-1959, illustrates the day-to-day workings of the oil-rich state. Saudi Arabia, which extends over most of the Arabian peninsula, absorbed several tribal groups that had previously been dependent on the Ottoman empire. The creation of a centralized state expressed the interests of all classes, including the nobility, the merchant class, and most of the population, ensuring security and putting an end to tribal feuds. Although fixing the boundaries of the country remained a problem, by 1930 most of the frontiers with Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait had been established. In 1932 Hijaz (the western portion of the country containing the holy cities of Mecca and Medina), Najd, and other districts under the control of Ibn Saud were united to form the modern kingdom. In the late 1930s, Saudi Arabia became rich in oil and was courted both by allied and axis powers in the years leading up to the Second World War. Export of oil began in 1938 and within one year 500,000 barrels of oil had been produced. In the 1940s exploitation of oil brought great prosperity and transformed the social fabric of the country. To reciprocate the warm reception in Washington, D.C., in 1957, King Saud endorsed the Eisenhower Doctrine and renewed a deal giving the United States airbase rights in his country. The records in the second portion of the archive detail internal political and national defense affairs; economic, financial, industrial, and social affairs; among other topics.
The Middle East Online: Iraq, 1914-1974 - Iraq 1914-1974 offers the widest range of source material from the Foreign Office, Colonial Office, War Office, and Cabinet Papers from the Anglo-Indian landing in Basra in 1914 through the British Mandate in Iraq of 1920-32 to the rise of Saddam Hussein in 1974. Here major policy statements are set out in their fullest context, the minor documents and marginalia revealing the workings of the mandate administration, diplomacy, treaties, oil, and arms dealing. Topics covered include The Siege of Kut-al-Amara, The War in Mesopotamia and the capture of Baghdad in 1917, Introduction of the British Mandate, and the installation of King Faisal in 1921, The British administration in Baghdad, Gertrude Bell, advisor to the British administration, in both reports and memos, The Arab Uprising of 1920, Independence, and Iraq’s membership of the League of Nations in 1932, Coups d’etat in the 1930s and 1940s, The Baghdad Pact of 1955 and the military coup of 1958 leading to the establishment of a republic, The Cold War and Soviet intervention in Iraq, Kurdish unrest and the war in Kurdistan, Oil concessions and oil exploration, The Rise of Ba’athism and Saddam Hussein, The USSR-Iraq Treaty of Friendship in 1972, Iran-Iraq relations.
U.S. Operations Mission in Iran, 1950-1961 - This collection is a record of the U.S. Operations Mission's experiences in Iran. In it are outlined the programs that were initiated, the problems encountered, and the results of the 11-year effort. The program of technical cooperation in Iran was frequently cited as an example of the ideal Point Four program. The overthrow of the established government led naturally to questions concerning the "failure" of American technical assistance in that country. Three kinds of aid were provided: United States technicians advised or worked with the Iranian Government; supplies and equipment were provided for demonstration purposes; and Iranian personnel were sent to the United States or third countries for observation or training programs. The bulk of assistance was directed towards improving agricultural methods, but much also was achieved in such areas as preventive medicine, education, and administrative improvement.
U.S. Operations Mission to Saudi Arabia, 1950–1955: Correspondence and Subject Files of the Office of the Director - This collection is a record of the U.S. Operations Mission's experiences in Saudi Arabia. In it are outlined the programs that were initiated, the problems encountered, and the results of the five-year effort in the Point Four program. In Saudi Arabia, two chief aims guided the International Cooperation Administration (ICA) effort and the Point Four Program. The first was to promote the acceptance and support of ICA by cooperating and integrating the efforts of local and regional governments and bureaucrats. The second was to initiate projects that would reach as many people as possible, especially the common people who desperately needed opportunities and help. Three kinds of aid were provided: United States technicians advised or worked with the Saudi Government; supplies and equipment were provided for demonstration purposes; and Saudi personnel were sent to the U.S. or third countries for observation or training programs. Much was achieved in public health, education, public administration, community development, and transportation. The Point Four program aimed to promote the combined growth of economic and social improvement and political freedom.
Frequently studied and often misunderstood, the Middle East features a varied history and culture for indepth study. This collection provides a multidisciplinary archive of materials to explore the region's diplomatic initiatives, military actions, politics, economics, and natural resources.
Diplomatic History
Aden: Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1880-1906 - Aden's strategic location long made it a strategic asset. The British captured Aden in 1839, and it served as a key port on the route from the Mediterranean to India via the Suez Canal. The documents in this collection are sourced from the Central Files of the General Records of the Department of State. The records are under the jurisdiction of the Legislative and Diplomatic Branch of the Civil Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Iran (Persia): Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1883-1959 - The documents in this collection on Iran are sourced from the Central Files of the General Records of the Department of State. The records are under the jurisdiction of the Legislative and Diplomatic Branch of the Civil Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Iraq: Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1888-1944 - Iraq, from Ottoman rule through British colonial occupation and independence, is treated here from the perspective of the United States. The documents are sourced from the Central Files of the General Records of the Department of State. The records are under the jurisdiction of the Legislative and Diplomatic Branch of the Civil Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Saudi Arabia: Records of the U.S. Department of State, 1930-1959 - This archive divides into two distinct parts. The first part, 1930-1944, documents a critical period in the formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the second part, 1955-1959, illustrates the day-to-day workings of the oil-rich state. Saudi Arabia, which extends over most of the Arabian peninsula, absorbed several tribal groups that had previously been dependent on the Ottoman empire. The creation of a centralized state expressed the interests of all classes, including the nobility, the merchant class, and most of the population, ensuring security and putting an end to tribal feuds. Although fixing the boundaries of the country remained a problem, by 1930 most of the frontiers with Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait had been established. In 1932 Hijaz (the western portion of the country containing the holy cities of Mecca and Medina), Najd, and other districts under the control of Ibn Saud were united to form the modern kingdom. In the late 1930s, Saudi Arabia became rich in oil and was courted both by allied and axis powers in the years leading up to the Second World War. Export of oil began in 1938 and within one year 500,000 barrels of oil had been produced. In the 1940s exploitation of oil brought great prosperity and transformed the social fabric of the country. To reciprocate the warm reception in Washington, D.C., in 1957, King Saud endorsed the Eisenhower Doctrine and renewed a deal giving the United States airbase rights in his country. The records in the second portion of the archive detail internal political and national defense affairs; economic, financial, industrial, and social affairs; among other topics.
The Middle East Online: Iraq, 1914-1974 - Iraq 1914-1974 offers the widest range of source material from the Foreign Office, Colonial Office, War Office, and Cabinet Papers from the Anglo-Indian landing in Basra in 1914 through the British Mandate in Iraq of 1920-32 to the rise of Saddam Hussein in 1974. Here major policy statements are set out in their fullest context, the minor documents and marginalia revealing the workings of the mandate administration, diplomacy, treaties, oil, and arms dealing. Topics covered include The Siege of Kut-al-Amara, The War in Mesopotamia and the capture of Baghdad in 1917, Introduction of the British Mandate, and the installation of King Faisal in 1921, The British administration in Baghdad, Gertrude Bell, advisor to the British administration, in both reports and memos, The Arab Uprising of 1920, Independence, and Iraq’s membership of the League of Nations in 1932, Coups d’etat in the 1930s and 1940s, The Baghdad Pact of 1955 and the military coup of 1958 leading to the establishment of a republic, The Cold War and Soviet intervention in Iraq, Kurdish unrest and the war in Kurdistan, Oil concessions and oil exploration, The Rise of Ba’athism and Saddam Hussein, The USSR-Iraq Treaty of Friendship in 1972, Iran-Iraq relations.
U.S. Operations Mission in Iran, 1950-1961 - This collection is a record of the U.S. Operations Mission's experiences in Iran. In it are outlined the programs that were initiated, the problems encountered, and the results of the 11-year effort. The program of technical cooperation in Iran was frequently cited as an example of the ideal Point Four program. The overthrow of the established government led naturally to questions concerning the "failure" of American technical assistance in that country. Three kinds of aid were provided: United States technicians advised or worked with the Iranian Government; supplies and equipment were provided for demonstration purposes; and Iranian personnel were sent to the United States or third countries for observation or training programs. The bulk of assistance was directed towards improving agricultural methods, but much also was achieved in such areas as preventive medicine, education, and administrative improvement.
U.S. Operations Mission to Saudi Arabia, 1950–1955: Correspondence and Subject Files of the Office of the Director - This collection is a record of the U.S. Operations Mission's experiences in Saudi Arabia. In it are outlined the programs that were initiated, the problems encountered, and the results of the five-year effort in the Point Four program. In Saudi Arabia, two chief aims guided the International Cooperation Administration (ICA) effort and the Point Four Program. The first was to promote the acceptance and support of ICA by cooperating and integrating the efforts of local and regional governments and bureaucrats. The second was to initiate projects that would reach as many people as possible, especially the common people who desperately needed opportunities and help. Three kinds of aid were provided: United States technicians advised or worked with the Saudi Government; supplies and equipment were provided for demonstration purposes; and Saudi personnel were sent to the U.S. or third countries for observation or training programs. Much was achieved in public health, education, public administration, community development, and transportation. The Point Four program aimed to promote the combined growth of economic and social improvement and political freedom.
Back to
Primary Sources
>
Archives Unbound