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Institute for the Study of War and Democracy

Our Mission
The Institute for the Study of War and Democracy is a community of scholars forming a national center for research, higher education, publications, and public programming, dedicated to promoting the history of World War II, the relationship between the war and America’s democratic system, and the war’s continued relevance for the world.

Values

Excellence: The Institute works to meet the highest standards of accuracy and quality in all of our programs and services.
Accessibility: The Institute brings together the academy, other WWII authorities, enthusiasts, and public audiences.
Relevance: The Institute educates, informs, and encourages those who want to understand the price of freedom and preserve our democratic heritage. 

Vision

The Institute for the Study of War and Democracy explores the war’s history and enduring legacies, and seeks to inspire civic engagement by:

  • Becoming the preferred resource for audiences seeking fresh scholarship, public history, public programming, and commentary on World War II.
  • Extending the reach of the Museum’s public programs and publications to larger national and international audiences.
  • Sustaining a network of the world’s preeminent scholars and cultural leaders to promote and broaden the history, memories, and legacies of the war. 
  • Attracting new generations of Americans to study, research, and write about the American experience in World War II through fellowships, collections, Museum tours, lifelong learning, and additional  outreach efforts.
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Letter from the Institute Director

The Institute for the Study of War and Democracy serves as the research core and the higher education center of The National WWII Museum. Our team consists of experienced professional historians who share a passion for World War II.

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Latest from the Institute

  • Article Type

    Dick Winters's Leadership Insights in a Letter to Stephen Ambrose

    In the letter, Major Richard “Dick” Winters responded to Stephen Ambrose's request for his thoughts on the strain of command, the problems he faced during the war, and the living conditions his soldiers endured. What emerged was also a concise explanation of Winters’s leadership philosophy.

  • Article Type

    Japanese Hell Ships of World War II

    Initially, hell ships moved Allied POWs to areas where their labor was needed, such as the Japanese main islands and other recently conquered regions, but later, they also moved prisoners to prevent them from being liberated by advancing Allied forces.

  • Article Type

    The USS New Orleans before World War II

    A product of post Great War naval treaties and launched amid rising global tensions, the USS New Orleans forged a bond with its namesake city in the years before World War II

Events & Programs

The Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy

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