Disposition Authorities for Individual Classifications for Headquarters Case Files. Part B: Classification 100. Domestic Security.

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United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Disposition Authorities for Individual Classifications for Headquarters Case Files. Part B: Classification 100. Domestic Security.

Disposition Authorities for Individual Classifications for Headquarters Case Files. Part B: Classification 100. Domestic Security.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122503265

The full title for this classification is Subversive Matter, Internal Security, Domestic Security Investigations. In 1936, President Roosevelt directed the Bureau to conduct investigations of subversive activities such as communism, facism, and related organizations. In 1939, the FBI was designated by Presidential Directive as the "clearing house" for national defense and general domestic intelligence matters. This Directive established the classification formally in 1939. In the period 1940-1970, the Bureau's activity in this area was almost exclusively limited to investigations of communist and Soviet individuals and organizations. For example, in 1944 the classification was restricted to cases bearing the character of internal security in which the accompanying symbol letter C for Communist or R for Russian was attached. In the 1970's the Bureau expanded its investigations to include New Left organizations, revolutionaries, and urban terrorists. As a result of Congressional inquiries spurred by Watergate and an audit conducted by the General Accounting Office, the Attorney General issued new and far more restrictive guidelines for domestic security investigations. Thereafter, all cases opened had to be reported to the Attorney General within 90 days after initiation of investigation.

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