Division of Special Research
Encyclopedia
The Division of Special Research was a subdivision of the U.S. State Department
charged with preparing studies in the field of problems post World War II
. The department was secretly established February 3, 1941, subsequent to FDR's Four Freedoms
speech, before the United States' involvement in the war, and existed until January 1, 1943, when it was replaced by a Division of Political Studies and a Division of Economic Studies. Leo Pasvolsky
was chief of the division and its successors. Harley Notter, Charles W. Yost and H. Julian Wadleigh
were assigned by Hull to assist Pasvolsky.
Beginning in 1942, one aspect of the Division's work involved keeping a record of all official commitments or statements regarding the postwar settlement issued by Allied or neutral governments, whether made publicly or confidentially. This function was performed initially by the Commitments Unit under Virginia Fox Hartley.
During 1942 diplomat Charles Woodruff Yost
served as Assistant Chief. From February 1942, Pasvolsky served also as Executive Officer of the Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy.
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
charged with preparing studies in the field of problems post World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The department was secretly established February 3, 1941, subsequent to FDR's Four Freedoms
Four Freedoms
The Four Freedoms were goals articulated by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1941. In an address known as the Four Freedoms speech , he proposed four fundamental freedoms that people "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy:# Freedom of speech and expression# Freedom of worship#...
speech, before the United States' involvement in the war, and existed until January 1, 1943, when it was replaced by a Division of Political Studies and a Division of Economic Studies. Leo Pasvolsky
Leo Pasvolsky
Leo Pasvolsky was a journalist, economist, state department official and personal assistant to Secretary of State Cordell Hull...
was chief of the division and its successors. Harley Notter, Charles W. Yost and H. Julian Wadleigh
Julian Wadleigh
Henry Julian Wadleigh , was an American economist and the United States Department of State official in the 1930s and 1940s. He was a key witness in the Alger Hiss trials.-Biography:...
were assigned by Hull to assist Pasvolsky.
Beginning in 1942, one aspect of the Division's work involved keeping a record of all official commitments or statements regarding the postwar settlement issued by Allied or neutral governments, whether made publicly or confidentially. This function was performed initially by the Commitments Unit under Virginia Fox Hartley.
During 1942 diplomat Charles Woodruff Yost
Charles Woodruff Yost
Charles Woodruff Yost was a career U.S. diplomat who was assigned as his country's representative to the United Nations from 1969 to 1971.- Biography :Charles Yost was born in Watertown, New York, on November 6, 1907...
served as Assistant Chief. From February 1942, Pasvolsky served also as Executive Officer of the Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy.