Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations

Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, founded in 1967 by Diplomatic History scholars, including William Appleman Williams and Lloyd C. Gardner, is a prominent organization dedicated to the study of United States foreign relations, encompassing topics such as the Cold War, World War I, and the Spanish-American War. The organization's establishment was influenced by the works of notable historians like George Kennan and Henry Kissinger, who have shaped the field of American Foreign Policy. SHAFR's creation coincided with significant global events, including the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which have been extensively studied by its members, including Robert S. McNamara and McGeorge Bundy.

● History

The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations has its roots in the American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians, with key figures like Arthur Schlesinger Jr. and Doris Kearns Goodwin contributing to its development. The organization's early years were marked by discussions on the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations, and the Marshall Plan, which were led by scholars such as Dean Acheson and George Marshall. As the field of Diplomatic History evolved, SHAFR members, including John Lewis Gaddis and Melvyn Leffler, have examined various aspects of United States foreign policy, such as the Truman Doctrine and the Nixon Doctrine. The organization has also explored the role of key figures, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, in shaping American Foreign Policy during times of crisis, such as the Great Depression and World War II.

● Purpose and Activities

The primary purpose of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations is to promote the study and understanding of United States foreign relations, encompassing topics such as the Korean War, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the Iran-Contra Affair. The organization achieves this through various activities, including sponsoring conferences, such as the annual meeting, which features presentations by renowned scholars like Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright. SHAFR also collaborates with other organizations, including the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Council on Foreign Relations, to advance the field of Diplomatic History. Additionally, the organization supports research initiatives, such as the National Security Archive and the Library of Congress, which provide valuable resources for scholars studying American Foreign Policy and its impact on global events, including the Suez Crisis and the Camp David Accords.

● Membership and Governance

The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations has a diverse membership, comprising scholars from various institutions, including Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University. The organization is governed by a council, which includes prominent historians like Michael Beschloss and Robert Dallek, who have made significant contributions to the field of American Foreign Policy. The council is responsible for overseeing the organization's activities, including the publication of its journal, Diplomatic History, which features articles by leading scholars, such as John Mearsheimer and Joseph Nye. SHAFR also has a network of regional chapters, which host events and conferences, featuring presentations by experts like Condoleezza Rice and Richard Haass.

● Publications

The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations publishes a quarterly journal, Diplomatic History, which features articles, reviews, and essays on various aspects of United States foreign relations, including the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary. The journal has published works by notable scholars, including George Kennan and Henry Kissinger, and has become a leading platform for the discussion of American Foreign Policy and its historical context, including the Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Berlin. SHAFR also publishes a newsletter, which provides updates on the organization's activities, including conferences and research initiatives, and features contributions from scholars like Francis Fukuyama and Samuel Huntington.

● Awards and Honors

The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations presents several awards and honors to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Diplomatic History, including the Stuart L. Bernath Lecture Prize and the Stuart L. Bernath Book Prize. These awards have been presented to notable scholars, including John Lewis Gaddis and Melvyn Leffler, who have made significant contributions to the study of American Foreign Policy and its historical context, including the Potsdam Conference and the Yalta Conference. The organization also offers fellowships and grants, such as the SHAFR Fellowship and the National Security Archive Fellowship, to support research initiatives and promote the study of United States foreign relations, including the Cuban Revolution and the Soviet-Afghan War.

● Conferences and Meetings

The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations hosts an annual conference, which features presentations by leading scholars, including Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, and discussions on various aspects of United States foreign relations, including the War on Terror and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The organization also sponsors regional conferences and workshops, which provide a platform for scholars to share their research and engage in discussions on topics like the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. SHAFR's conferences have become a premier forum for the discussion of American Foreign Policy and its historical context, including the Treaty of Paris and the Congress of Berlin, and have featured presentations by experts like Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft.

Category:Historical societies