Government Records for Academic Use

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U.S. Declassified Documents Online offers researchers unprecedented access to formerly classified materials that reveal the inner workings of federal agencies, including the CIA, FBI, State Department, and National Security Council. This stand-alone collection supports scholarship in political science, international relations, intelligence studies, and modern U.S. history by providing insight into decision-making processes, diplomatic strategies, and surveillance practices from the post–World War II era through the late 20th century.

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Date range: 1945–2006
Document types: Memos, cables, intelligence reports, briefing books, meeting notes, correspondence
Sources: U.S. National Archives; Presidential Libraries; Department of State; Central Intelligence Agency; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and more

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The U.S. Courts of Appeals have shaped American legal doctrine in profound ways, often serving as the final word on critical legal issues. Landmark Records and Briefs of the U.S. Courts of Appeals offers researchers access to more than 600,000 pages of appellate court documents from 1891 to 1980, including some of the most influential cases in 20th-century American law. This collection provides a comprehensive view of legal arguments, judicial reasoning, and the broader historical context of appellate litigation. It is an essential resource for scholars of law, political science, and American history.

Key Facts
Date range: 1891–1980
Document types: Appellants’ and appellees’ briefs, amicus briefs, appendices, memoranda, petitions, transcripts
Sources: U.S. Courts of Appeals (including Second, Ninth, and D.C. Circuits); major law libraries and archives

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The U.S. Courts of Appeals have long played a pivotal role in shaping American law and public policy. Landmark Records and Briefs of the U.S. Courts of Appeals, Part II expands access to critical appellate court documents from 1950 to 1980, offering scholars a deeper understanding of legal reasoning, judicial trends, and the broader social and political context of the mid-20th century. This collection includes briefs, memoranda, petitions, and transcripts from major circuits, including the influential Second, Ninth, and D.C. Circuits. It is an essential resource for legal historians, political scientists, and scholars of civil rights, administrative law, and constitutional development.

Key Facts
Date range: 1950–1980
Document types: Appellants’ and appellees’ briefs, amicus briefs, appendices, memoranda, petitions, transcripts
Sources: (Second, Ninth, D.C., and others); major law libraries and archives

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This collection offers access to the written arguments presented to the U.S. Supreme Court in thousands of cases, including landmark decisions that shaped constitutional law. The Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs is essential for legal scholars, historians, and political scientists seeking to understand the legal reasoning and historical context behind pivotal rulings.

Key Facts
Date range: 1832–1978
Document types: Petitions, briefs, transcripts, motions, appendices
Sources: U.S. Supreme Court; National Archives; major law libraries including Harvard and Yale