The National Security Act of 1947

The National Security Act of 1947 is a significant U.S. law that restructured the country's defense and intelligence agencies after World War II. It established the National Security Council (NSC) to advise the President on security matters, created the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for overseas intelligence gathering, and merged the Department of War and the Department of the Navy into the Department of Defense. This act aimed to enhance coordination among military and intelligence operations, reflecting the growing importance of national security during the Cold War era.