Records of the Department of State Relating to Political Relations between the United States and Venezuela, 1945-1959
Arguably, Venezuela’s 20th century history has been most notably impacted by the discovery and exploitation of its petroleum reserves. Foreign investment in development of the oil fields led to great wealth for foreign investors, the Venezuelan government, and those individuals to whom the government granted concessions. Publications relating to political relations between the United States and other states generally include cables, memoranda, and correspondence addressing the political affairs and concerns affecting the particular state. Covering primarily the early Cold War documents, this collection gives researchers a unique insight into American foreign policy during one of its most stressful periods in international relations. After World War II, with only two superpowers vying for influence, access, and control, the United States looked to its state department to provide detailed analyses and insight into political affairs. As such these records are bound to be of great interest to diplomatic historians and historians studying these countries, seeking to understand American foreign affairs during this period.