Home
Historical Documents
Department History
Key Milestones
- The Founding Era
- Diplomacy and Revolution
- The Early Republic
- Securing the Republic
- The Antebellum Period
- The Civil War
- The Age of Imperialism
- Into the Twentieth Century
- The First World War
- The Interwar Period
- World War II
- The Cold War
- Bi-Polar Foreign Policy
- Entangling Alliances
- Détente
- Quest for Peace
- Cold War Denouement
- Toward the Twenty-First Century
Guide to Countries
More Resources
Department History
- Foundations of Foreign Affairs, 1775-1823
- Origins of a Diplomatic Tradition
- Diplomacy: A Key Component of the Revolution
- Diplomacy under the Articles of Confederation
- A New Framework for Foreign Affairs
- A Diplomatic Tradition
- American Diplomatic Style
- Staffing and Administration
- The Development of Foreign Policy
- Diplomatic Gains in the Early 19th Century
- Conclusion
- The Expansionist Years, 1823-1867
- Rise to World Power, 1867-1913
- The Challenge of Global Conflict, 1913-1945
- Containment and Cold War, 1945-1961
- Superpowers Collide, 1961-1981
- The End of the Cold War, 1981-1992
A Short History of the Department of State
Foundations of Foreign Affairs, 1775-1823
James Monroe, Early American Diplomat
American diplomats played a key role in the struggle for
independence and in winning respect for the new nation during the early
years of the new Republic. Those who served included some of the most
brilliant and gifted diplomats ever to represent the United States.