Fbi Federal Bureau Of Investigation

The formation of the FBI goes back to a group of special agents created in 1908, by Attorney General Charles Bonaparte, under President Theodore Roosevelt. It sprung up during the Progressive Era, a time when people supported a crime intervention team and believed government intervention was necessary in this type of society. Congress was also very supportive toward the Attorney General's plan. They enacted a law preventing the Department of Justice from engaging in secret service operatives, giving all of the investigative power to Bonaparte and his team of special agents. On July 26, 1908, Bonaparte ordered his special agents to report to Chief examiner Stanley W. Finch. This force of agents was later named the Bureau of Investigations by the new Attorney General George Wickersham. The Chief Examiner was changed to Chief of the Bureau of Investigations. Stanley W. Finch was Chief from 1908 to 1912.

The purpose of the Bureau of Investigation was to investigate the crimes "of national banking, bankruptcy, naturalization, anti-trust, peonage and land fraud (www.fbi.gov/history)." The Bureau had limited jurisdiction over crime until June 1910, when the Mann Act was passed. This law made it a violation of state law "to transfer women across state lines for immoral purposes", it also helped the FBI investigate crimes that went across state lines. In 1912, A. Bruce Bielaski became Chief of the Bureau. During this time the number of special agents grew to 300.

With the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917,the Bureau of Investigation was ordered by the government to investigate the crimes of espionage, selective service and sabotage. The Bureau also focused its efforts on controlling smuggling and obtaining intelligence around the Mexican border. William J. Flynn, became Chief of the Bureau using the title Director of the Bureau of Investigations. The National Motor Vehicles Theft Act of 1919 was passed during this time, giving the Bureau another passage to prosecute criminals across state lines.

The end of the war brought about another phase of the Bureau. This was the time known as the "lawless years," where gangsters ruled the streets, and prohibition divided this country. Furthermore, the Ku Klux Klan was again reborn to neutralize the economic gains by African Americans after the war. In 1924, Edgar Hoover was selected to head the Bureau of Investigation. When he became head there were 650 employees, 441 special agents and 30 field offices. Hoover reformed the agency many times, stressing a need for professionalism. He began by firing many unqualified agents. In January 1928, he also created the training course for agents and established that you must be between 25-35 to apply to the program. Another major upgrade to the Bureau, and law enforcement as a whole, was the creation of the National Division of Identification. The primary method of identification that is still being used today, was fingerprinting.

The Stock Market crash of 1929 and the great depression caused higher crime rates and fear in the public. To gain public support for his programs, Hoover brought the agency's message to the people. For example, in 1932 the FBI published Fugitives Wanted by Police, known today as the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. Furthermore, the agency gained much more respect from the public after investigating the kidnapping of the Lindberg baby, and trying to put an end to gangsters. These led to federal kidnapping stature as well as laws increasing the Bureaus jurisdiction across state lines. During this period the Bureau increased to 42 field offices and 654 special agents. In July 1932, it was renamed the US Bureau of Investigation, and in 1935 it became the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Another major accomplishment was the establishment of the Technical Laboratory in 1932. By 1935 the FBI began training police officers at the FBI National Academy and by the 1940's it was training people all over the world. Hoover made drastic changes to the Bureau during this time, making FBI the premier law enforcement agency in the world. However, America would soon see itself involved in another war, one that severely threatened democracy in America. The FBI faced with new responsibilities and threats had to change its goals and purpose.

A major concern of the United States and responsibility of the FBI was the spread of fascism and communism during World War II. In 1936, the FBI received the authority to investigate these organizations living in the US. Three important events happened. First, in 1938 President Roosevelt authorized the FBI to investigate these organizations. Next, a 1939 Presidential Directive strengthened the FBI's jurisdiction to track down and investigate these organizations. Last, the Smith Act of 1941 was passed; "it outlawed advocacy of violent overthrow of the government". During the war the FBI investigated subversion, espionage and sabotage. They were also responsible with tracking down draft evaders. The most famous FBI bust during this time was the Duquesne spy ring. By the end of 1943 the FBI grew from 7,400 to 13,000 employees with 4,0000 special agents.

Following the war, the US hoped it could continue its grand alliance with the Soviets and Britain. However, Stalin began to take over much of Eastern Europe, expecting for no one to get in the way. This was a nervous time in history, and combating communism was a goal of all levels of government. The FBI spent a lot of time warning the public about communism as well as arresting spies. By the end of the war, their role of fighting crime increased by helping out state and local agencies in need. The FBI also started its "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. During this time laws like The Civil Rights Act of 1960 and 1964, the Crimes Aboard Aircraft Act, and the Federal Fugitive Act also expanded the FBI's jurisdiction to investigate and fight crime.

The 1960's and 1970's was a violent era beginning with the assassination of President Kennedy. During this time there were 3,000 bombings and numerous anti-war demonstrations. The FBI concentrated it's efforts toward civil right issues and national security. Hoover died on May 2, 1972. President Nixon appointed L. Patrick Gray as acting director of the FBI. However, he resigned his nomination from the Senate after being tied in with the Watergate conspiracy. Clarence M. Kelley became the next Director of the FBI. During his time he restored trust from the American people, and reformed the FBI, replacing former employees. He implemented a new strategy known as "Quality over Quantity" which had each field office focus it's efforts on the most important crimes. The FBI had three national priorities, foreign counterintelligence, white-collar crime and organized crime. Undercover