US Public Diplomacy during the Cold War: an evaluation of the early years of the Fulbright Program, 1946-1966

Abstract

By building networks of mutual understanding between people living in different countries, international educational exchanges contribute to the creation of global networks and partnerships between institutions, researchers, and students from all over the world. With the end of WWII, the Fulbright Program, a US international educational exchange initiative, emerged as a significant instrument in shaping US foreign policy and projecting the nation’s soft power influence. This study delves into US public diplomacy during the early Cold War era, focusing specifically on the first years of the Fulbright Program: the 1946-1966 period. The research evaluates the Fulbright Program’s role in fostering mutual understanding, building bridges with other nations, and promoting academic excellence as a means of enhancing the United States’ image and ideals globally. Through a comprehensive analysis of historical documents, scholarly literature, and firsthand accounts from Fulbright grantees and alumni, this study seeks to shed light on the Fulbright Program’s impact on US public diplomacy efforts during a time marked by ideological tensions.