Fonds XX482 - American National Red Cross records

US XX482

American National Red Cross records

• 1917-1922 (Creation)

Fonds

219 manuscript boxes, 1 card file box, 4 oversize boxes, and 2 video tapes (95.5 linear feet)

American Red Cross

Hoover Institution Archives

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principals of the International Red Cross Movement. The Federal Charter states it is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization. The organization's seven fundamental principles are: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. This mission guides the organization to provide relief to victims of disasters and to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

At the beginning of the World War I, the American Red Cross was a small organization still in the process of developing its
identity and programs. When the United States declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, the organization began a
period of extraordinary growth. By the time the war ended in November 1918, the Red Cross had become a major national
humanitarian organization with strong leadership, a huge membership base, universal recognition, and a broad and
distinguished record of service. The Red Cross continues to respond to emergencies today.

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, financial records, lists, and photographs, relating to relief work in Europe and the Middle East, Russia and China during and immediately after World War I. Also available on microfilm (339 reels).
The records of the American National Red Cross (ARC) in this collection deal mainly with relief around the world during and
after World War I.

The records of the American National Red Cross (ARC) in this collection deal mainly with relief around the world during and
after World War I.
Records are arranged as originally received from the organization; generally by Commission or Office in geographical
locations as well as the Headquarters Offices. General materials, oversize items, and printed materials may be found after
the geographic locations.
The records of the ARC are arranged by geographical location where each particular commission operated: commissions for
the Balkan States (including countries such as Albania, Austria-Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece,
Montenegro, Romania, Serbia), Belgium, China, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Palestine and Egypt,
Switzerland, and Russia (Petrograd Children's Colony, Siberia, Southern Russia, Western Russia, and Baltic States). The
documents reflect the massive efforts put forth by the ARC to deliver aid to regions devastated by the war.
If the commission for a certain region or country operated in another territory (for example the Commission for
Czechoslovakia opened hospitals on the territory of Russia), the documents may be found among the records of that
geographic location. Along with official reports and financial records, correspondence of gratitude for the ARC gives a
human side to the organization.
The collection also contains records of related organizations including the American Relief Administration, International and
Junior Red Cross, YMCA, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. The material presents a comprehensive history
of relief work around the world, as well as economic and health conditions, political and social developments.

Microfilm use only.

• Chinese
• Czech
• English
• French
• German
• Hebrew
• Italian
• Polish
• Russian

The Hazel Braugh Record Center and Archives of the American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/museum/exhibits/braugh.asp provides additional information on the records center holdings as
well as other repositories that hold American Red Cross records, such as the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA) and the Library of Congress.
American Relief Administration Russian Operational records, 1919-1925, Hoover Institution Archives
American Relief Administration European Operations Records, 1919-1923, Hoover Institution Archives
Mary Catherine Roberts papers, 1918-1978, Hoover Institution Archives
Burle Bramhall collection, 1973-1976, Hoover Institution Archives

• American Red Cross (Creator)

Aleksandra Pawliczek, FUB