Articles of Agreement Between the United States of America and Other Powers; Formulated at the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference Bretton Woods, New Hampshire July 1 to July 22, 1944
- SIGNED
- Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1946
Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1946. First Edition. Very good. The first US printing detailing the articles of agreement of the World Bank. Original printed stapled wrappers with minor rubbing and toning, staple rust, ownership signature of R.H. Stimson to front cover, else very good. 33 pp. The official U.S. State Department publication of the founding charter that established the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, commonly known as the World Bank. This document represents the second major institution created at Bretton Woods alongside the International Monetary Fund, specifically designed to finance post-war reconstruction in Europe and promote economic development in emerging nations.
While the IMF focused on monetary stability and exchange rates, the World Bank was conceived to provide long-term capital for reconstruction and development projects that private investors were unwilling or unable to finance. The Bank's initial mission centered on rebuilding war-torn Europe, but it quickly evolved to focus primarily on development lending to what would become known as the developing world.
The timing notation is significant: though formulated during the July 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, the Articles weren't signed until December 27, 1945 - the same date the IMF came into effect when the ratification threshold was met. The United States deposited its instrument of acceptance on December 20, 1945, just one week before the effective date, demonstrating the critical American role in launching both institutions.
While the IMF focused on monetary stability and exchange rates, the World Bank was conceived to provide long-term capital for reconstruction and development projects that private investors were unwilling or unable to finance. The Bank's initial mission centered on rebuilding war-torn Europe, but it quickly evolved to focus primarily on development lending to what would become known as the developing world.
The timing notation is significant: though formulated during the July 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, the Articles weren't signed until December 27, 1945 - the same date the IMF came into effect when the ratification threshold was met. The United States deposited its instrument of acceptance on December 20, 1945, just one week before the effective date, demonstrating the critical American role in launching both institutions.