French National Archives. The probability of setting up its model in other countries in the 20th century

Abstract

This article deals with both the implicit and the explicit factors in the historiography that led in the 20th century to the failure or success of the National Archives model in the countries of the former colonies or provinces of the European empires (Morocco, Senegal, Vietnam, Lebanon, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Bulgaria) whose archival theory and methodology were at different levels of development.

On the material of some books and articles on the history of the national archives, scrutinising national laws and decrees and taking into account institutional reports, the author found several criteria that should necessarily be met to ensure the success when creating efficient national archives. The author argues that the effectiveness of the National Archives is set in the existence of the network of local institutions subordinate to it, of the organs that prepare and implement the methods and the national policy of archives as well as the regular and representative acquisition of the most important documents on national history and in their wider communication.

The most important criteria are the previous existence in the country of central or ministerial archives, the transfer of methodology and essential elements of theory as well as organizational skills from the metropolitan country to the local authorities and the creation during the years of independence or the previous existence during the colonial period of local skilled bodies of archivists.

The author attempts to find out if the international archival cooperation or the information, regulation, methodical and normative document exchanges prove to be useful and effective in order to create national archives and what the best frame to organize the latter is.