Bohan, Merwin L. Papers

Dates: 1918-1975

Foreign Service officer, 1928-1955; Counselor for Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, 1945-1949; Ambassador, Inter-American Economic and Social Council, 1951-1955

The Merwin Bohan Papers contain letters, memoranda, newspaper clippings, notes, speeches, lectures, reports, press releases, and other materials related to Mr. Bohan’s experience with economic, political, and social issues in Central and South America.

See also Merwin L. Bohan oral history.

[Administrative Information | Biographical Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List]

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Size: 10 linear feet, 11 linear inches.
Access: Open
Copyright: The donor gave to the U.S. government the copyrights in this material and in any other material received by the U.S. government and maintained in a depository administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Documents created by U.S. government officials in the course of their official duties are in the public domain. Copyright interest in other documents presumably belongs to the creators of those documents, or their heirs.
Processed by: Erwin J. Mueller (1976); Tammy K. Williams (2025).

[Administrative Information | Biographical Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List]

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Merwin Lee Bohan was born on January 21, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his childhood in Mexico City, Mexico and Dallas, Texas. From 1922 to 1926, he worked for the Dallas, Texas Chamber of Commerce, specializing in foreign trade. Beginning in 1928, he worked as a trade commissioner and commercial attaché for the Department of Commerce in several Latin American countries, including Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia. From 1941 to 1942, he served as the chief of the United States Economic Mission to Bolivia and in November of 1942, served as the counselor of the Embassy for Economic Affairs at the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In July 1944, he was assigned to the Department of State. In 1945, he became the counselor of the Embassy for Economic Affairs in Mexico City, Mexico, a position he held until 1949. He left government service in 1949 and worked as a professor of international relations at American Institute for Foreign Trade in Phoenix, Arizona. From 1950 to 1951, he served as a member of the United States delegation to the GATT [General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade] Conference. From 1951 until 1955, he served as the United States Ambassador for the Inter-American Economic and Social Council. From 1952 until 1953, he also worked as the United States Commissioner on the Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission. He died in Dallas, Texas on November 23, 1975.

[Administrative Information | Biographical Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List]

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The Merwin Bohan Papers contain letters, memoranda, newspaper clippings, notes, speeches, lectures, reports, press releases, and other materials related to Mr. Bohan’s experience with economic, political, and social issues in Central and South America.

The first series is the Numerical Correspondence File. It contains letters, publications, reports, memoranda, newspaper clippings, notes, lectures, newsletters, and other materials. The materials focus on economic development and use of natural resources in Latin American countries, as well as social issues that can impact commerce throughout the area. While most of this series is in English, it also contains material in Spanish.

The second series is the Alphabetical Correspondence File. It contains letters, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, publications, and other materials related to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Most of this series is personal or related to other jobs held by Merwin Bohan, not his government service. While most of this series is in English, it also contains materials in Spanish.

The third series is the Subject File. It contains correspondence, maps, notes, publications, newspaper clippings, reports, memoranda, book drafts, press releases, speeches, and other materials. This series includes materials about Mexico as well as Central and South American countries, primarily Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, and Mexico. The materials focus on economic development and use of natural resources in Latin American countries. Another theme of this series is the impact of United States policy toward Latin America and ways to improve relations with these countries through economic means. This series contains a multi-volume copy of the Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission Report, which is printed in Portuguese. This series also contains a manuscript by Merwin Bohan on Argentina, which was not published. Much of this material post-dates Bohan’s service in the Department of Commerce and Department of State. While most of this series is in English, it also contains materials in Spanish and Portuguese.

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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Container Nos.

  

Series

1-3

   NUMERICAL CORRESPONDENCE FILE, 1928-1964
Letters, publications, reports, memoranda, newspaper clippings, notes, lectures, newsletters related to Mexico, Central American, and South American countries. Arranged in a numerical subject order.
4-6   ALPHABETICAL CORRESPONDENCE FILE, 1918-1975
Letters, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, publications and other materials related to Mexico, Central American, and South American countries and Merwin Bohan’s personal activities. Arranged in alphabetical order by subject.
7-25   SUBJECT FILE, 1926-1975
Letters, telegrams, maps, notes, publications, reports, press releases, speeches, and other materials related to Mexico, Central American, and South American countries. Arranged in alphabetical order by subject.

 

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FOLDER TITLE LIST

NUMERICAL CORRESPONDENCE FILE, 1928-1964

Box 1

  • 100 Distribution and Sales Territories [folder empty]
  • 200 Travel and Tourism
  • 300 Lectures and Speeches
  • 400 Organization and Reporting
  • 500 Comparative Statistical Information
  • 1000 International Relations
  • 1100 United States Policy Toward Latin America
  • 1200 Trade Policy
  • 1300 Economic Policies and Programs
  • 3000 International Law
  • 4000 Finance [folder empty]
  • 4100 Currency and Exchange
  • 4200 Foreign Investment
  • 4400 Standard of Living (Prices-Trends of Trade)
  • 5000 Agriculture
  • 5100 Fisheries [folder empty]
  • 5200 Forests and Products
  • 6000 Mining

Box 2

  • 7000 Manufacturing
  • 7100 Building [folder empty]
  • 8000 Power
  • 8100 Transportation
  • 8200 Communications [folder empty]
  • 9000 Social and Labor
  • F-1
  • F-1
  • F-2
  • F-3
  • F-4
  • F-5
  • F-6
  • F-8
  • F-10
  • F-12

Box 3

  • F-13
  • F-14
  • F-15
  • F-17
  • F-18
  • F-19
  • F-20
  • F-21
  • F-22
  • F-23
  • F-24

ALPHABETICAL CORRESPONDENCE FILE, 1918-1975

Box 4

  • A
  • B
  • Bohan, Merwin L. - Early Career
  • Bradshaw, James F.
  • C
  • D
  • Douglas, Lee B.
  • E-F
  • G
  • H
  • Herring, Hubert
  • I
  • J
  • K

Box 5

  • Knox, Charles F. [1 of 2]
  • Knox, Charles F. [2 of 2]
  • L
  • Mc
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q-R
  • S

Box 6

  • T
  • U-V
  • W
  • X-Y-Z

SUBJECT FILE, 1926-1975

Box 7

  • Addresses
  • American and Foreign Power Company
  • American Bar Association Speech, Portland Oregon, May 29, 1954
  • Argentina
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 1, The Colonial Years/li>
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 1, The Historical Setting - Revised
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 2, The Peron Era
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 3, The Struggle for Recovery
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 4, The Road Ahead
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 5, Land and People
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 6, Agriculture
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 7, The Other Extractive Industries
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 8, Manufacturing
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 9, Public Services
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 10, International Trade and Payments
  • Argentina Book – Chapter 11, Public and Private Finance

Box 8

  • Argentina Book, Twentieth Century Fund
  • Argentina Book, Twentieth Century Fund – Studies and Reports [1 of 4]
  • Argentina Book, Twentieth Century Fund – Studies and Reports [2 of 4]
  • Argentina Book, Twentieth Century Fund – Studies and Reports [3 of 4]
  • Argentina Book, Twentieth Century Fund – Studies and Reports [4 of 4]
  • "The Argentine Consejo Nacional de Desarrollo: A Progress Report," Organization of American States
  • Arthur D. Little, Inc.
  • "Behind the News" Broadcast, March 4, 1953
  • Bolivia
  • Bolivia – Contract for Studying and Programming the Agricultural Sector of the Economy, Osvaldo Sunkel
  • CEPAL Speech, June 15, 1951
  • Combined Service Groups Speech by Merwin L. Bohan, September 21, 1954
  • Classification of Lands for Irrigation and Drainage

Box 9

  • Commerce, Department of [1 of 5]
  • Commerce, Department of [2 of 5]
  • Commerce, Department of [3 of 5]
  • Commerce, Department of [4 of 5]
  • Commerce, Department of [5 of 5]
  • "The Crisis of the Nation State in Latin America: Challenge and Response," Osvaldo Sunkel
  • Cross References
  • Cuba
  • Dallas College-Southern Methodist University Lecture Notes, October 2, 1961
  • Dallas County League of Women Voters Speech by Merwin L. Bohan, October 21, 1947
  • "The Department of State: A Study in Futility"

Box 10

  • "The Development of Brazil" - Report
  • Diplomacy Speech
  • "Economic and Political Bases for a Latin American Common Market" – Address by Felipe Herrera
  • Economic Commission for Latin America and the United States
  • Economic Commission for Latin America – Pan American Union
  • Economic Commission Latin America Draft Remarks
  • Economic Conditions and Statistics
  • "Export Prospects of Latin American Manufactures"
  • Exchange and Finance
  • Foreign Aid - Latin America
  • Foreign Commerce Service
  • "Foreign Free World - Supply and Demand for Farm Products, 1965-1970" - Report
  • Foreign Service Journal
  • Foreign Service of the United States

Box 11

  • Foreign Trade - Import and Export Restrictions
  • "The Future of Direct Foreign Investment in Latin America" – Carlos F. Diaz Alejandro, Latin American Studies Association, 1971
  • "Guatemala" – Draft of Manuscript [1 of 2]
  • "Guatemala" – Draft of Manuscript [2 of 2]
  • Hampton Roads Foreign Commerce Club Speech by Merwin L. Bohan, May 4, 1954
  • "Human Resources – Key to Economic Development" – Lecture by Dr. Morris A. Horowitz, Northeastern University
  • "The Impact of Inflation on Financial Institutions" – Remarks by Henry C. Wallich
  • "Importance of World Trade" Speech by Merwin L. Bohan, International Seminar of Dallas College, November 13, 1962
  • Industry
  • Inter-American Agencies and International Agencies in Latin American Economic Development
  • Inter-American Bank
  • International Development Services [1 of 2]

Box 12

  • International Development Services [2 of 2]
  • "Introduction to the Latin American Market" – Report
  • "Investment in Cuba" – Report
  • Investment in Latin America
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission [1 of 2]
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission [2 of 2]
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Miscellaneous Studies

Box 13

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 1
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 2

Box 14

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 3
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 4

Box 15

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 5
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 6

Box 16

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 7
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 8
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 9

Box 17

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 10
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 11

Box 18

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 12
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 13
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – Report, Volume 14

Box 19

  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – General Report, Volume 1
  • Joint Brazil-United States Economic Development Commission – General Report, Volume 2
  • Labor and Wages
  • "Land Tenure and Agricultural Development in Argentina" - Report
  • "Latin America in our World Perspective" Remarks by Merwin L. Bohan, Council on World Affairs, Dallas, Texas, April 16, 1952
  • Latin America Policy
  • Latin America Regional Funding

Box 20

  • Latin American Economics – Course Outline
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 1-5
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 6-10
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 11-15
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 16-20
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 21-25
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 26-30
  • Latin American Economics – Lectures 31-35
  • "Latin American Policy of the United States" Remarks by Merwin L. Bohan, Dallas-Fort Worth Import-Export Clubs
  • "Latin American Policy of the United States" Remarks by Merwin L. Bohan, Southern Methodist University, October 5, 1959
  • "Latin American Policy of the United States" Remarks by Merwin L. Bohan, Southwestern University, October 29, 1963
  • "Latin American Relations" Remarks by Merwin L. Bohan, Dallas Real Estate Board, May 29, 1958
  • Lecture Course 100a
  • Lectures - General
  • Legislation

Box 21

  • "Maritime Policy of the United States" – Address by Merwin L. Bohan, May 20, 1954
  • Meeting of National and World Politics, Remarks of Thomas L. Hughes, December 13, 1973
  • Mexico - Short Term Credit
  • Mexico - Williams Report
  • Northeast Brazil Survey - Correspondence
  • Northeast Brazil Survey – Report
  • Pan American Union
  • Pan American Society – Address by Thomas C. Mann, April 14, 1966
  • "Political, Legal and Institutional Aspects of Latin American Integration" – Lecture by Gustavo Lagos, June 23, 1966
  • "A Preliminary Survey of the Political Feasibility of Private Enterprise Increasing the Productivity of the Mexican Ejido" – Report by Merwin L. Bohan
  • Projections of Demand For and Production of Agricultural Commodities
  • "Proposal for a Study of Argentine Economic and Financial Policies by the Twentieth Century Fund" by Merwin L. Bohan
  • Publications [1 of 3]
  • Publications [2 of 3]

Box 22

  • Publications [3 of 3]
  • Reflections of Latin American Foreign Policy
  • "Reflections on United States Economic Cooperation with Latin America" – Report by Merwin L. Bohan
  • Research Notes [1 of 13]
  • Research Notes [2 of 13]
  • Research Notes [3 of 13]
  • Research Notes [4 of 13]

Box 23

  • Research Notes [5 of 13]
  • Research Notes [6 of 13]
  • Research Notes [7 of 13]
  • Research Notes [8 of 13]
  • Research Notes [9 of 13]
  • Research Notes [10 of 13]

Box 24

  • Research Notes [11 of 13]
  • Research Notes [12 of 13]
  • Research Notes [13 of 13]
  • Ross Report – "A Guide to Investing in Mexico"
  • Rotary Club of Dallas, Texas – Address by Merwin L. Bohan, October 9, 1957
  • Rotary Club of Mexico City, Mexico – Address by Merwin L. Bohan, February 15, 1946
  • State, Department of [1 of 4]
  • State, Department of [2 of 4]
  • State, Department of [3 of 4]
  • State, Department of [4 of 4]

Box 25

  • "Strategy for the Americas"
  • Techniques of Economic Field Research
  • Transportation
  • United Nations
  • United States Economic Mission – La Paz, Bolivia
  • "United States Interest in Latin American Integration" – Remarks by Senator Jacob Javits, Georgetown University, June 24, 1966
  • "United States-Soviet Detente and Its Effect on East-West Relations in Europe"
  • University of Florida Lecture by Merwin L. Bohan
  • Urquidi case
  • "Viet Nam – Impedimenta to Political Development, Some Issues in Current Policy Debate"
  • White House
  • World Trade Department, U. S. Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco, California, May 19, 1954 – Speech by Merwin L. Bohan
[Administrative Information | Biographical Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List]