Smithsonian Institution War Background Studies

Gold seal of the Smithsonian Institution on a black buckram background

Starting in 1941 the Smithsonian published twenty-one illustrated booklets on the peoples, geography, history, natural history, and other features of the areas reached by World War II, particularly in and around the Pacific Ocean. The aim was to increase popular understanding of the regions and peoples involved in the conflict.  Demand for the books were so great that in 1943 the print run had to be increased from 3,500 to 8,000. Numerous copies were ordered by the Army and Navy for distribution to service personnel. 

Pages

Cover of Alaska

Alaska no. 13

Walker, Ernest P.
The Smithsonian Institution
1943
Cover of Are wars inevitable?

Are wars inevitable? no. 12

Swanton, John Reed
The Smithsonian Institution
1943
Cover of Burma

Burma no. 17

Deignan, H. G.
The Smithsonian Institution
1943
Cover of China

China no. 20

Wenley, A. G.; Pope, John Alexander
Smithsonian Institution
1944
Cover of Egypt and the Suez canal

Egypt and the Suez canal no. 11

Roberts, Frank H. H.
The Smithsonian Institution
1943
Cover of Iceland and Greenland

Iceland and Greenland no. 15

Clark, Austin Hobart
The Smithsonian Institution
1943
Cover of Peoples of India

Peoples of India no. 18

Gilbert, William Harlen
The Smithsonian Institution
1944
Cover of Peoples of the Philippines

Peoples of the Philippines no. 4

Krieger, Herbert W.
The Smithsonian Institution
1942
Cover of The Aleutian islands

The Aleutian islands no. 21

Collins, Henry B.; Clark, Austin Hobart; Walker, Egbert H.
Smithsonian Institution
1945
Cover of The evolution of nations

The evolution of nations no. 2

Swanton, John Reed
The Smithsonian Institution
1942
Cover of The Japanese

The Japanese no. 7

Embree, John F.
The Smithsonian Institution
1943
Cover of The native peoples of New Guinea

The native peoples of New Guinea no. 9

Stirling, Matthew Williams
The Smithsonian Institution
1943

Pages