National Security Indoctrination Program., 01/01/1954-12/31/1954

File — Box: 1, Folder: 5

Identifier: 28395

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

From the Collection:

This collection of papers from Earl J. Wilson consists of his files, maintained during his years with the U.S. Information Service, dealing with the development of democracy in U.S. foreign policy. Material includes the manuscript of an unpublished book by Mr. Wilson on the subject, entitled,'Fumbling with Democracy: Our Failure to Promote It Abroad.' There is also a quantity of information in the form of published and unpublished reports and correspondence concerning USIA's Citizenship Education Program. CEP was originally the idea of William Russell, deputy director for education, International Cooperation Agency, and dean of Columbia University Teachers College. His aim was to improve the education of youth in the concepts of American democracy. In 1956 , laboratory practices were set up and ICA staff successfully promoted CEP theories and practices to U.S. schools. A pilot project was also established in Guatemala. However, ICA was not interested in an international approach, and after Russell's death, Mr. Wilson adopted the project to promote to USIA. The program did not receive enthusiastic support from USIA; however, under Hank Arnold, the new public affairs officer for USIA in Korea (1956), the program was implemented as part of the new country plan. In 1957, while at his fifth post in Mexico City , Mr. Wilson also found support for CEP. It was written into the country plan. In addition, the post had a magazine entitled 'Saber' ('To Know') edited by Luz Zea, which specialized in articles on the American educational system. Together, Ms. Zea and Mr.Wilson collaborated on CEP's first pamphlet, 'Senderos de Libertad' ('Pathsof Liberty'). By the end of 1958, CEP and related projects had been phased out by USIA. Other material in this collection includes a file on the Democracy Program,a non-governmental effort to promote democracy abroad begun in 1982 under the auspices of Democratic and Republican parties, and the bipartisan American Political Foundation. Another file contains a copy of lectures given by USIA to officers of the Thai Armed Forces, as part of the National security Indoctrination Program (1954). Also included in the collection are newsclippings collected by Mr. Wilson on U.S. foreign policy.

Span dates: 1957 - 1990 Bulk dates: 1960 - 1970 Extent: 1 linear foot; 2 boxes

Dates

01/01/1954-12/31/1954

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.75 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Container Summary

Contains a typescript copy of a series of lectures produced by the US Information Service for an anti-Communist "Pyschological Indoctrination Program" begun in Thailand, 1954. In a letter (9/6/90) accompanying the transferral of these papers to Georgetown University, EJW explains the background to this booklet: I was Chief Information Officer for USIS/Bangkok at the time when we were busy developing all sorts of publications, films, film strips, exhibits, etc. in support of this program. It began at the top of the Thai Government with the lectures given to a group of Thai Government officials. They in turn...gave the lectures within their own ministries to other officials... ...to reach the populace at large, and selected priority audiences in the provinces, the content of these lectures was communicated by mobile teams using everything from jeeps to elephants and helicopters. This country-wide program continued with top priority (much of it later copied in Vietnam) until the late 1950s when a coup overthrew the government and our embassy immediately suspended this program. Later, in the early 1960s...it was...resumed. It will be seen we were not promoting democracy in the Thai Kingdom and much of the material is anti-Communism. When, in 1955 I returned to Washington with USIA's Policy Planning Staff, [I] was thinking of the largely negative anti-Communist materials we were producing worldwide and our weaknesses in failing to promote democracy that led to [this] collection of papers...