The OSS and the Origins of the CIA
The OSS, and later the CIA, was first created to gather and analyze intelligence information.
The OSS
Formed during World War II, the Office of Strategic Services was the United States' first agency of centralized intelligence, and served as the predecessor for the CIA.
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Before the United States entered World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Office of the Coordinator of Information, the COI, which became the OSS.
"The COI and the OSS were given two important functions during World War II: to gather, evaluate, and analyze intelligence in support of the war against the Axis Powers, and to plan and execute operations in support of intelligence procurement." |
OSS insignia [OSS Society]
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Click "Start Prezi" to view the organizational structure of the OSS
Formation of the CIA
The CIA was created when the National Security Act of 1947 was passed, taking over the duties of the newly-dissolved Office of Strategic Services.
From the National Security Act of 1947, the establishment of the CIA.
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Excerpts from a memo from General Donovan to President Roosevelt calling for formation of CIA.
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