The Jeremiad Over Journalism

thereby support the politicians‘ continued participation in the alliance. 253 A confidential document
from the Department of State shows how officers of the U.S. Information and Education Program
(USIE) attempted to promote American interests in Denmark. On May 2 nd , 1950 Roll sent a draft of
the ―USIE Country Paper for Denmark‖ to the Department of State in which he wrote, that the
―priority aims and objectives of USIE program in Denmark‖ were,
―To state the foreign and domestic policies of the United States as persuasively as possible
(…) to encourage the Danish people to maintain their traditional friendship for the United
States (…) [and] to encourage a climate of opinion in Denmark which will enable the Danish
people to see possibilities of an expanding, dynamic Danish society through bolder
cooperation with other democracies.‖ 254
According to Roll, the key to ―creating a receptive climate of opinion‖ was to present a ―dignified,
full, factual picture of the United States,‖ as there was no need for ―obvious anti-Soviet, anti-
communist propaganda‖ in Northern Europe. USIE‘s plan was to target labor groups and
organizations as well as teachers and other intellectual leaders, because in order to ―create a
favorable climate of opinion,‖ it was ―highly important to reach those who are in a position to do
so.‖
As Roll‘s document clearly shows, the tension between Russia and the United States had
heightened significantly after the end of World War II and as a consequence influence in Europe
became an increasingly important priority for the world‘s two remaining superpowers. Making
Danes sympathetic to American ideas and ideals was therefore considered by Washington as a
means to the end of gaining the upper hand in the Cold War. 255
However, the asymmetrical power relationship existing between Denmark and the United States
also led to direct influence on Danish policy, according to the United States officials. Ambassador
Dean in 1976 stated that Danish positions on economic matters had been ―clearly influenced by US
253 Jensen, "En Krig På Værdier - Mål Og Midler I Det Amerikanske Kulturdiplomati [A War on Values: Means and
Ends in the American Cultural Diplomacy]." Page 10.
254 William G. Roll, "USIE Report for December, 1949," (National Archives. RG 59. Department of State. Decimal file.
1950-1954. From 511.59/12-650 to 511.59/12-2950. Box 2422. February 14, 1950). Confidential report by William G.
Roll from May 2, 1950 under the subject ―USIE COUNTRY PAPERS.‖ Hereafter Copenhagen.
255 Petersen and Sørensen, "Ameri-Danes and Pro-American Anti-Americans." Page 117.
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