Diplomatic History Commons^™

Eleanor Lansing Dulles And The Fate Of Berlin: 1953-1989, Chad Everett Shelley

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

At the end of the Second World War, Berliners lived in a war-ravaged city and faced occupation under Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The occupation of Berlin and Germany became a competition between capitalism and communism. East Germany became a communist nation while West Germany recovered under the supervision of capitalist nations. In the 1950s West Berlin found a new ally in the director of the Berlin Desk at United States Department of State, Eleanor Lansing Dulles.

Eleanor Dulles came from a privileged family who participated in American diplomacy at the end of the nineteenth …

Steve & Anita, Steve, Anita, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Steve and Anita Canfield helped the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Turkey. They helped send blankets, coats, and washing machines to Syrian refugees. They were assigned to Frankfurt to assess refugee camps, soup kitchens, warehouses, and immigrant communities. The couple visited refugee camps and soup kitchens all over Europe to determine what was needed most by refugees.

The Canfields established the Friendship Center in Rome. The center offers classes in Italian, English, Italian, and a Red Cross course. It also has a gospel choir, a popular activity for primarily African refugees. The LDS Church has plans to …

Der Hungerwinter: Family, Famine, The Black Market, And Denazification In Allied-Occupied Germany (1945 - 1949), Tyler Stanley

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This paper analyzes numerous letters written among several members of a German family living under the Allied occupation. The Lingenhoel family were one of a great many Germans enduring hunger, famine, and denazification in the immediate postwar period. Using the Lingenhoel family as the lens of analysis, this paper ultimately assesses the Allies' efforts to alleviate the widespread hunger and the Germans' responsibility of collaborating with the former Nazi government.

Nicole Ludwig, Tsos, Nicole Ludwig

TSOS Interview Gallery

In September 2016, Nicole Ludwig led a group of her neighbors in Germany to assist newly-arrived Syrian and Afghani refugees. The volunteers collected clothing and toys, organized activities and field trips for the refugee children, and taught them German. Later, the volunteers offered homework support and led library reading groups. For the adult refugees, the volunteers provided cultural assimilation instruction and cooking classes. While there were occasional challenges to working together, the volunteers and refugees fostered a collaborative system and even hosted a Christmas party, during which one elderly Syrian man said, “This is one of the best memories I …

Layla, Layla, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Layla left Ethiopia 10 years ago to look for work opportunities. She left behind a father and three brothers. She went to Syria on a three-year work contract. She worked in a house and learned Arabic. She then went to Turkey by boat and then went on to Greece for 5 years. She worked and learned the Greek language. When she became pregnant she had to stop working. She travelled to Serbia to Macedonia to Austria all on foot. Then the Red Cross moved Layla and her daughter to Giessen, Germany where a roommate periodically beat her baby. Seeking safety …

Aisha, Aisha, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Aisha, a Syrian native, lived in Latakia with her Palestinian husband and six children. Their children were not allowed to attend school because of their Palestinian heritage. During the war, mortars and missiles hit the city, and Aisha's brother lost three children. Aisha's uncle in Jordan helped to smuggle their family into Turkey after they decided to escape.

They sailed to Greece with a boat carrying about 350 people. The ship's drivers abandoned it during the journey. To save the children on board, Aisha's husband steered the sinking ship. Her husband was arrested in Greece, and Aisha, who was five …

Aeham, Aeham, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Aeham Ahmad is a pianist from Yarmouk, Syria who gained internet fame from videos posted of him performing on the streets. Because of this, he was targeted and forced to flee to Germany, leaving his wife and two sons behind. Since this interview, his family has joined him.

Aeham’s talent and fame opened up opportunities to perform in various cities in Germany. To share his story during these performances, he learned English. He wants to use music to make a difference in the world. During his time in Yarmouk, there was an underground area where children practiced music because it …

Nevin, Nevin, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Nevin is a civil engineer from Afghanistan who worked with an American company and local government. The Taliban threatened him and demanded he work for them instead and ultimately attacked him on his journey home. After this he began a dangerous journey to Europe full of smugglers, trafficking, encounters with police, poor living conditions and a trip across the Mediterranean in an overcrowded raft.

Nevin ultimately made it to Greece, where he lived in a camp for several months. He received medical care but faced new problems of closed borders and difficulty obtaining papers. He was transferred to a camp …

Kamaria Bakes, Kamaria, Twila Bird, Lindsay Silsby, Yasmine Kataw, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Amina is from Aleppo, where she was a math teacher. She is married with four boys. Her family fled to Turkey from Syria after losing their home in the war. Amina and her youngest son then sailed on an inflatable boat to Greece. Using cars, buses, and trains, they traveled from Greece to Macedonia, then on through Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria before finally arriving in Germany. They stayed for two months in Camp Hamburg before being transferred for a short time to Lemberg. Lemberg was followed by another camp for three and a half months and then to Eisenberg …

Bilal, Bilal, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Bilal was 23 years old when he drowned in Greece. He was cheerful, intelligent, and full of energy.

He was a journalist in Afghanistan who received a death threat from the Taliban. His family decided that he should flee the country alone for survival since they couldn’t afford for the whole family to go.

He escaped from the camp in Moria by finding a hole in the fence. He outran the police, found a ship in port, and jumped on it as it was leaving. He later had 10 unsuccessful attempts to leave Greece for Germany. He was caught by …

Heroes Of Berlin Wall Struggle, William D. Bowman

History Faculty Publications

When the Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago, on Nov. 9, 1989, symbolically signaling the end of the Cold War, it was no surprise that many credited President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev for bringing it down.

But the true heroes behind the fall of the Berlin Wall are those Eastern Europeans whose protests and political pressure started chipping away at the wall years before. East German citizens from a variety of political backgrounds and occupations risked their freedom in protests against communist policies and one-party rule in what they called the "peaceful revolution." [excerpt]

Drugi Potop: The Fall Of The Second Polish Republic, Wesley Kent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis seeks to examine the factors that resulted in the fall of the Second Polish Republic and track its downward trajectory. Examining the Second Republic, from its creation in 1918 to its loss of recognition in 1945, reveals that its demise began long before German tanks violated Poland’s frontiers on 1 September, 1939. Commencing with the competing ideas of what a Polish state would be and continuing through the political and foreign policy developments of the inter-war years, a pattern begins to emerge -that of the Poles’ search for their place in modern Europe. The lead up to the …

Britain's Revenge: Winston Churchill And The Bombing Of Germany, Cooper Pasque

Cooper Pasque

No abstract provided.

The Economics Of The Atomic Bomb: Cost And Utilization, Jonathan M. Davis Mr.

Senior Honors Theses

Few moments in human history can be compared to the culmination of events that brought the atomic bomb into creation. It is incredible to contemplate that while a nation was fighting a two front war that spanned from Europe into the Pacific, that the United States was able to utilize the time, energy, brains, materials, manpower, and capital to complete a project in four years. That under any other circumstances would have taken greater than half a century to complete.

First, this thesis will discuss breakthroughs in research that led scientists to believe that the atomic weapons could be built, …

Harold Marsh Sewall And The Truculent Pursuit Of Empire: Samoa, 1887-1890, Paul T. Burlin

Maine History

The conflict between Thomas F. Bayard, Grover Cleveland's first Secretary of State, and his subordinate, Harold Marsh Sewall of Bath, Maine, who was U.S. consul general to Samoa, was not a disagreement about the goals of American policy. Their disagreement related more to tactical considerations. And at that level, generational differences probably drove them apart. Specifically, the meaning of the Civil War for the younger generation of which Sewall was a part may well have contributed to his “truculent" pursuit of empire, a posture that totally unnerved the older Bayard. Paul T. Burlin is Associate Professor of History and Chair …

(Review) Adels- Und Königsfamilien Im Spiegel Ihrer Memorialüberlieferung: Studien Zum Totengedenken Der Billunger Und Ottonen, Frederick S. Paxton

History Faculty Publications

Reviews the book "Adels- und Königsfamilien im Spiegel ihrer Memorialüberlieferung: Studien zum Totengedenken der Billunger und Ottonen," by Gerd Althoff.

Letter From Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson To The Editor Of The Waterbury American, October 30, 1941, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of a letter from Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson addressed to the Editor of the Waterbury American, dated October 30, 1941. Within, Wilson condemns isolationist thought and argues for the continued need to support Britain in the war.

Rights Of Labor: It Is Allowed None Under A Nazi Form Of Government, June 14, 1941, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of a letter to the editor of the Hartford Courant entitled, "Rights of Labor: It is Allowed None Under a Nazi Form of Government", by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated June 14, 1941. Within, Wilson writes to argue against the isolationist propaganda of the "America First Committee".

Service To Hitler: Opposition To National Aims Viewed In That Light, May 11, 1941, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed reprint copy of a New York Times article entitled, "Service to Hiter: Opposition to National Aims Viewed in That Light", by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated May 11, 1941. Within, Wilson argues that American isolationism is inadvertently supporting Hitler and Germany.

Memorandum In Rebuttal Of Further Isolationism, March 17, 1941, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of a memorandum entitled, "Memorandum in Rebuttal of Further Isolationism", by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated March 17, 1941. Within, Wilson argues that further isolationist propaganda, in light of the passage of the Lend-Lease act, amounts to treason.

The Battle Of America Has Started!, 1941-1943, Committee To Defend America By Aiding The Allies

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed propaganda flyer entitled, "The Battle of America Has Started!", by the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, dating from circa 1941-1943. Within, the flyer details the latest act of aggression against Russia and the threat to America posed by Germany.

Our Peril If Britain Falls, 1941-1943, Committee To Defend America By Aiding The Allies

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed propaganda pamphlet entitled, "Our Peril if Britain Falls", by the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, dating from circa 1941-1943. Within, the pamphlet outlines what the United States will lose and risk should Britain fall to Adolf Hitler's Germany.

America's Only Sure Defense, November 15, 1940, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed transcription of a radio speech entitled, "America's Only Sure Defense", by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated November 15, 1940. Within, Wilson warns about dire consequences for America if Britain were to fall to Nazi Germany.

Letter From Maurice Leon To Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, October 17, 1940, Maurice Leon

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed letter from Maurice Leon addressed to Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated October 17, 1940. Within, Leon responds to Wilson's views on the French and British military and Russia's stance on Germany.

Address To Rotary Club, October 1, 1940, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of a speech given at the Waterbury chapter Rotary Club by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated October 1, 1940. Within, Wilson argues for the necessary steps to protect Britain and halt German conquest.

Letter From Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson To John J. Pershing, August 7, 1940, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of a letter from Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson addressed to John J. Pershing, dated August 7, 1940. Within, Wilson urges Pershing to use his influence to encourage American naval aid to the British fleet.

The First Essential Of American Defense, August 4, 1940, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of an essay entitled, "The First Essential of American Defense", written by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated August 4, 1940. Within, Wilson writes on the consequences of Britain's potential fall to Germany and calls for foreign policy agreement between President Roosevelt and Wendell Willkie.

Untitled Speech Given To The Committee To Defend America By Aiding The Allies, 1940, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed copy of an untitled speech transcript written by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dating from circa 1940. Within, Wilson introduces two speakers and talks about the need to aid Britain as honorary chairman of the Waterbury chapter of the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies.

Letter From S. H. P. Pell To Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, October 11, 1939, Stephen Hyatt Pelham Pell

World War II Era Documents, 1939-1945

A typed letter from S. H. P. Pell addressed to Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dated October 11, 1939. Within, Pell thanks Wilson for the article reprint from the New York Herald-Tribune and states his support for joining England and France in the war.

Socialist Dictatorships, 1938, Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

Documents, 1919-1938

A typed draft copy of a chapter for an unpublished book, America and the New Deal entitled, "Socialist Dictatorships", written by Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson, dating from circa 1938.