From D-Day to the Rhine

Doctoroff Media Group

This program with Bill Moyers chronicles the return of World War II veterans to the battlefields of their youth. From D-Day to the Rhine follows the veterans as they go ashore at Normandy, move on through the Ardennes, visit battle sites such as the Battle of the Bulge, and wind up finally at the Rhine. Personal recollections are interspersed with archival footage of the battles they fought, from Omaha Beach to Bastogne to Malmedy. The program also features historian Stephen E. Ambrose, who calls the battle "the supreme challenge of democracy in this century." Ambrose points out that the American soldier's ability to improvise on D-Day-when the situation turned out to be much worse than expected-may have saved the day. "The Americans sized up the situation, they seized the initiative... in a way, the German officers were not capable... on D-Day they sat and waited for orders." (87 minutes)

Victim of Two Cultures: Richard Rodriguez

Doctoroff Media Group

Richard Rodriguez, the son of Mexican immigrants, calls himself "a comic victim of two cultures." He started out speaking nothing but Spanish, and now argues for education in nothing but English. A Fulbright scholar with degrees from Stanford and Columbia, he suddenly walked away from a promising career in academia; despite his ambition to teach, he rebelled against job offers that, he says, came to him just because of his Hispanic surname. Condemned by some for having forsaken his roots and for his negative views of affirmative action and bilingual education, he has been praised by many others for his intimate understanding of the impact of language on life. In this program with Bill Moyers, Rodriguez explains his opposition to bilingual education and talks about his experience growing up in America as the son of immigrants; he also discusses the differences between Mexican and American cultures. (52 minutes)

Dalai Lama: The Soul of Tibet

Biography Channel

From a childhood in “Shangri-La” to a life in exile, this episode of Biography presents the turbulent yet life-affirming journey of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Born Tenzin Gyatso, he is the 14th man recognized by his people as Buddha’s reincarnation. Yet for a person so widely respected, the Dalai Lama has been forced to live in exile since 1959, after a failed rebellion against occupying Chinese forces caused him to flee his nation. Historic footage from the Dalai Lama’s life and interviews with Chinese scholars, pro-Tibet activists, and His Holiness himself chronicle in great detail the struggle to free Tibet. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

John J. Pershing: The Iron General

A&E

John J. Pershing started his career as an Indian fighter on the frontier. He ended it as the greatest war hero America had ever seen. In between was enough triumph and tragedy for several lives. This searching profile from Biography pieces together a portrait of an ambitious, driven man haunted by a searing tragedy--the loss of his wife and three daughters killed in a fire. Military historians detail how he transformed a tiny, 128,000-man force into an army of four million men, and then led it to victory in the greatest battle America had ever fought--the Meuse Argonne offensive in October 1918. That Pershing was no tactical genius is clear, but his crude force made up in numbers what they lacked in strategy. As the senior U.S. Army General of World War I, Pershing was granted the rank of ''General of the Armies'' in 1919 in recognition of his performance as the commander of the American Expeditionary Force. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Battleground (The Color of War)

History Education

Fighting in every theater of war, allied soldiers faced an extraordinary range of harsh terrains and severe climates. In this program, the experience of the infantryman is examined through personal recollections of World War II veterans. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Color of War. (45 minutes)

Covering War (The Color of War)

History Education

This program captures the experiences of the combat photographers, war correspondents, combat artists, radio personalities, and others who documented World War II. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Color of War. (45 minutes)

Fremont: Conqueror of California

Biography Channel

This episode of The Conquerors profiles John C. Fremont, military officer and explorer, known as “The Great Pathfinder.” Moving to the territory of California, he found adventure leading an expedition, and then upon becoming a U.S. Senator, in representing the new state. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Manhattan Project (Modern Marvels)

Modern Marvels

Scientists, engineers, and the U.S. Army teamed up to detonate the first man-made atomic explosion. The effort to create a nuclear weapon went in to high gear after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the bombings in Japan, some scientists regretted the role they played in brining this weapon of mass destruction into existence. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War

History Education

When General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, it marked the end of a terrible period of conflict that nearly destroyed the United States. But it also marked the beginning of a period of recovery that was in many ways as painful as the war itself. Freed blacks remained essentially enslaved, and race and tax riots, marauders and insurgents, profiteers, carpetbaggers, the KKK, and Jesse James all contributed to the post-Civil War turmoil. This A&E Special uses dramatizations, archival photos, and meticulous scholarship to show in stunning detail the trials that befell America during the time period known as Reconstruction. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (90 minutes)

Sun Tzu: Art of War

History Education

Sun Tzu was a military genius, and his book The Art of War, written 2,400 years ago, is still the essential how-to guide for winning on the battlefield and, many argue, in business. This A&E Special tells the epic story of Sun Tzu as it illustrates a conflict in which his tactics posthumously saved a city from defeat and paved the way toward the unification of China. Examples of historic battles ranging from antiquity to the present day repeatedly demonstrate that in war, a commander who understands strategy is the most dangerous weapon of all. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (91 minutes)

Back to Basra: After Saddam

History Education

This A&E Special examines a moment in time after the people of Iraq were freed from the clutches of a brutal dictatorship. But has their country’s new administration, created by the U.S. and Britain, truly resulted in a new beginning for the Iraqis? Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (48 minutes)

Images of the Civil War

History Education

Based on the writings of Pulitzer Prize-winning author James McPherson, this A&E Special showcases the artwork of acclaimed artist Mort Kunstler, whose paintings and illustrations—hailed for their historical accuracy and attention to detail—offer stunning views of Civil War scenes that were left undepicted by the battlefield photographers and artists of the day. In addition, dramatic reenactments portray the chaos and brutality of major clashes such as Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg and the Irish Brigade’s stand at Fredericksburg. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

The Other Tragedy at Pearl Harbor

History Education

In this A&E Special, four World War II veterans return to Pearl Harbor, where, in 1944, they narrowly survived a chain of mysterious explosions that wreaked havoc among the tightly berthed ships being loaded for the invasion of Saipan. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (43 minutes)

Scorpions in a Bottle: The Story of the Atomic Bomb

A&E

Starting with the immigration of scientists who fled Nazi Germany to America, this A&E Special documentary unfolds the development of the Manhattan Project and birth of the atomic age. Distributed by A&E Television Networks.

Tora, Tora, Tora: The Real Story of Pearl Harbor

A&E

This A&E Special examines the planning and execution of Imperial Japan’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, the incident that propelled the United States into World War II.

The Presidents: 1913-1945

History Education

This program focuses on America’s emergence as a global power as it introduces Woodrow Wilson, the country’s leader during World War I; Warren Harding, who watched as scandals rocked his administration; Calvin Coolidge, who ushered the U.S. to a dangerous economic precipice; Herbert Hoover, who watched the nation fall into the Great Depression; and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led America out of the Depression and through World War II. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Presidents. (45 minutes)

Darkness Falls (World War II in HD)

A&E

This program illustrates the early days of World War II—from the fall of continental Europe under Nazi control to America’s baptism of fire at the bloody battles fought on Guadalcanal and in North Africa. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series World War II in HD.

1935 (Year by Year: 1929-1967)

History Education

Year by Year looks at the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's baby son. Bruno Hauptmann was subsequently arrested and his sensational trial in 1935 captivated the nation. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Give Me the Short Version on Burma

ClickView Pty Limited

Also known as Myanmar, Burma is perhaps the most strife-torn and politically isolated nation in Southeast Asia. Some experts refer to it as a rogue state, since it has been ruled for several decades by a military junta which tolerates no opposition and has one of the worst human rights records in the world. In terms of natural resources, Burma ranks among the wealthiest countries, but how those resources will be managed long-term is uncertain. This program explores the "Republic of the Union of Myanmar" by focusing on its environmental richness as well as its economic disparities, its troubled history, and its brutal political climate. Activists and scholars from a wide range of disciplines provide commentary. (43 minutes)

The Legacy of the Mexican Revolution

KLRN-TV

This program provides an overview of the Mexican Revolution and traces its human legacy through the Mexican population in San Antonio, Texas. Several prominent Mexican-Americans discuss how the war drove thousands of poor Mexicans across the border into the U.S., and how their descendants are still struggling today for integration into American society. Segregation and exploitation of Mexican farm workers-examples of ongoing racial prejudice-are discussed, along with cultural contributions by Mexican-Americans in the areas of art, business, and education. The program provides excellent insight into the roots of anti-Mexican sentiment, as well as the often quarrelsome relationship between the U.S. and Mexico from a historical perspective. (30 minutes)

The World at War: For Love of Liberty, the Story of America's Black Patriots (University Edition)

Eleventh Day Entertainment

This program is part three of For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots (University Edition). Sections include... • Introduction: Colin Powell. • Negroes Can't Fly: The world's first black military pilot. • The Champagne Offensive: Allies begin "the last great push." • It's Over: The Harlem Hellfighters come home. • Strange Fruit: The Red Summer, 1919. • World War II: Halle Berry introduction. • The First Hero: Dorie Miller's heroic actions at Pearl Harbor. • Double V: The fight for victory at home and abroad. • The Montford Point Marines: The first black marines since the Revolution. • The 555th and the 6888th: Black men and women serve in daring new ways. • USS Mason: Black sailors are finally allowed to fight. • D-Day: Black soldiers protect Omaha and Utah Beaches. • Buffalo Soldiers in Italy: The 92nd Infantry fight their way north. • What Is the Negro Fighting For? Black marines in uniform are refused service. • The Tuskegee Airmen: Black pilots take to the sky. (45 minutes)

The Struggle Continues: For Love of Liberty, the Story of America's Black Patriots (University Edition)

Eleventh Day Entertainment

This program is part five of For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots (University Edition). Sections include... • Introduction: Colin Powell. • The Hanoi Hilton: Colonel Fred Cherry endures captivity in a notorious POW camp. • Dangerous Work: Black nurses serve heroically in combat hospitals. • Back Home: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated. • Black Power: Racial unrest at home and in the military. • Peace with Honor: Americans leave Vietnam and the military becomes all-volunteer. • Middle East: Halle Berry introduction. • Beirut: Terrorists attack U.S. marines. • The Mother of All Battles: War in the Persian Gulf. • Recognition: Black veterans of World War II finally receive the Medal of Honor. • 9/11: Terrorists come to America. • Fighting Back: The War on Terror. • On to Baghdad: The War on Terror spreads to Iraq. • The First Black Commander-in-Chief: The inauguration of President Barrack Obama. • Conclusion: The paradox that is the story of America's black patriots. (47 minutes)

A Journey to North Korea, 2012

Phoenix Satellite Television C

As a means of ascertaining or at least attempting to understand where North Korea is headed as a society, there is no better case study than the rocket launch attempted on April 13th, 2012 at the country's Sohae Space Center. This program was produced by Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, which sent a camera team into North Korea to cover the event. The Phoenix TV team rubbed shoulders with journalists and broadcasters from around the world, all of whom had been invited by Pyongyang to observe the launch under tightly controlled conditions. In spite of the rocket's failure-or perhaps because of it-the journey and its various side trips brought aspects of North Korea's political and social fabric into focus. Topics addressed in the film include the ongoing international uncertainty about whether the regime's space technology is peaceful or military, as well as the equally obscure relationship between the country's young leader and its armed forces. Viewers are taken inside various launch command facilities; inside the barracks of the 105th armored division, a tank unit evidently close to Kim Jong-un's heart; and, as mass celebrations and cultural festivals unfold, into crowds of unsettlingly patriotic DPRK citizens. (Portions with English subtitles, 54 minutes)

Crime and Combat: How Does That Work?

Parthenon Entertainment

Modern technology has given law enforcement new, non-lethal options when subduing an individual or controlling a crowd. There have also been advances made in body identification autopsies. This film examines the use of Tasers, rubber bullets, and beanbags in crowd control as well as the use of computers and software to identify bodies and perform autopsies. Part of the series How Does That Work? (23 minutes)

October 1949: Parade of the Waking Giant

Planet Pictures

Mao Zedong understood the symbolic importance of the 1949 parade in Tiananmen Square, organized to celebrate his coming to power and to officially announce that the People’s Republic of China had been established. Yet due to China’s vast linguistic diversity, only a tiny fraction of the assembled crowd could understand the words that Mao spoke. In this documentary, filmmaker Peter Du Cane captures a critical moment in Chinese history through his account of the story behind the first National Day ceremony. Parade participants share memories of the planning that went into the event while Du Cane embarks on a treasure hunt to find the lost, full text of Mao’s pivotal speech. ( Portions with English subtitles , 52 minutes)

Access to the Danger Zone

Journeyman Pictures

In conflict zones far from the eyes of the world it is the wounded and the sick that struggle to survive. But as the lines between aid workers and military become blurred, as NGOs are increasingly attacked, the rules that protect the innocent and injured are breaking down. The confused relations between military and NGOs introduce ever more suffering into the hell that is war. An intelligent and fascinating insight into the politics of war zone aid.

War and Peace in 1945

Looks International

This video clip contains footage of a trip to the Hagenbeck cage-free zoo (12/6/45, Hamburg, Germany) and, on the same day and half a world away, Indonesians fighting for independence against troops from the Netherlands (12/6/45, Surabaya, Indonesia). (3

Germany in 1958, Part 1

Looks International

This video clip contains footage of post-World War II returnees and resettlers (2/6/58, Friedland, Germany) and a winter sale at a department store (2/6/58 Hamburg, Germany). (3 minutes)

The Reason Why: The Crimean War

Digital Rights Group Limited

The Crimean War (October 1853–February 1856) was part of a long-running contest between major European powers for influence over the declining Ottoman Empire's territories. Considered one of the first “modern” wars, written reports and photographs kept the British public informed of the day-to-day battlefield realities for the first time. This series uses firsthand British, French, and Russian accounts to describe the military and logistical incompetence, combat events, and disease characterizing the conflict. Part one covers the war’s beginning; the Battles of Bomarsund, Alma, and Balaklava; and the Sieges of Silistra and Sebastopol. (50 minutes)

War and Peace: The Crimean War

Digital Rights Group Limited

The Crimean War (October 1853 - February 1856) was part of a long-running contest between major European powers for influence over the declining Ottoman Empire's territories. Considered one of the first "modern" wars, written reports and photographs kept the British public informed of the day-to-day battlefield realities for the first time. This series uses firsthand British, French, and Russian accounts to describe the military and logistical incompetence, combat events, and disease characterizing the conflict. Part three covers the Siege and Fall of Sevastopol, the Azov Campaign, the Sveaborg Attack, Mary Seacole, the Battle of Chernaya, Russian defeat, and the war’s outcome. (51 minutes)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Leaving the Conflict Behind?

Network Ireland Television

For many people, the Congo will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. The metaphor remains a daily reality for former child soldiers Benjamin and David, and Funaha, a young woman held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorize the country. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu. (25 minutes)

Come Together (Ancient Worlds)

BBC Worldwide Learning

Explore the roots of one of the most profound innovations in the human story--civilization. In this first episode of an epic series that runs from the creation of the first cities in Mesopotamia some 6,000 years ago, to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, discover Uruk, the 'mother of all cities;' journey to Syria, Egypt, Anatolia, and Greece; and trace the birth and development of technology and culture. (52 minutes)

Death Knell of the Confederacy

American Public Television (APT)

The five-part series Civil War: the Untold Story provides new insights into the causes of the Civil War, life on the home front, the politics of war, the issue of slavery, and the relatively unheralded role African Americans played in the conflict. Death Knell of the Confederacy covers the conclusion of the Battle of Chickamauga, the Chattanooga Offensive, the Anti-war Movement, Sherman’s March, and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. (53 minutes)

Yellow Wasps: Anatomy of a War Crime

Globalvision

In this classic program Serbian journalist Jovan Dulovic investigates the 1992 ethnic cleansing of a Bosnian Muslim city by the Yellow Wasps, a Serbian paramilitary group, and the subsequent war-crimes tribunal that failed to hold the Yellow Wasps responsible. Survivors of the attack offer their recollections of what happened, while the Yellow Wasps’ leader says that Muslim extremists provoked the Serbs’ violent assaults against the Bosnians. The weak response of the international community to reports of Serbian-controlled concentration camps is also examined, with commentary from former UN Special envoy José Maria Mendiluce and others. (70 minutes)

The Battle of Durban II: Israel, Palestine, and the United Nations World Conference against Racism

Globalvision

The 2009 Durban Review Conference, or Durban II, was a follow-up to the UN Human Rights Council’s disastrous 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa, where Palestinian sympathizers denounced Israel as racist, and supporters of Israel charged the UN with “demonization” of Israel. But Durban II proved to be even more divisive than its predecessor, marked by a controversial speech by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and boycotted by Israel and the U.S., among several other countries. This important program examines how the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine dramatically disrupted two successive UN conferences—overshadowing discussions about human rights issues elsewhere—and the attempts to come to an official consensus amid protests and counter-protests. Featuring interviews with UN officials and representatives from Human Rights Watch, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and others, it presents a balanced look at the difficulties the UN faces in progressing towards peace worldwide. (81 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: Spain in Revolt (R2)

Prelinger Archives

Compilation film on Spanish Civil War. (11 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: Atomic Bomb Blast Effects

Prelinger Archives

Color footage of atomic bomb tests with active duty military personnel at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada Test Site, Nevada. Shows soldiers in foxholes as nuclear detonation occurs nearby. Some of this footage is familiar by virtue of having been seen in the film Atomic Cafe. (9 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: It's Your America (Part 2)

Prelinger Archives

The U.S. War Department described this film in the following words: "An American soldier, during his combat career, realizes the greatness of his country and determines to assume his share of the responsibilities of good citizenship upon his return to civilian life." Contains "seized enemy material." (18 minutes)

Myanmar: The “Keep Quiet” Regime—Rights & Wrongs: Human Rights Television

The Global Center

In Myanmar (Burma), the State Law and Order Reconciliation Council, (SLORC) was formed after a military junta took power in 1988. Since then, human rights have been regarded as among the worst in the world. International human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly documented and condemned widespread human rights violations there. This episode reviews the human rights record in the country since the junta came to power. Also featured, an interview with Kenneth Roth of Human Rights Watch on ethnic warfare; linking trade and human rights and how the Clinton administration is viewed by human rights activists; then New York City’s “El Puente Academy of Peace and Justice;” and finally Romanian musicians sing about revolution. Part of the series Rights & Wrongs: Human Rights Television. Original broadcast title: Myanmar: the ‘Keep Quiet’ Regime, Show #206. (26 minutes)

FedFlix: The French Revolution and Napoleon—Evolution of Modern Warfare, Lesson 3

Fedflix

This Program from the Combat Studies Institute is designed for military instructors and presents ideas on how to present the Evolution of Modern Warfare course. The French Revolution created nationalist fervor that made possible huge armies and the devotion of the nation's economy to their support. Napoleon created a new type of war that would play to the advantages of these large, easily replaceable armies. While nineteenth century militaries sought to achieve objectives without battles, Napoleon sought decisive battlefield victories. Instructors consider the personal mental and charismatic qualities that made Napoleon successful, and the qualities that led to his downfall. They show how other European countries' nationalism grew and military strategies improved in response to Napoleon. (56 minutes)

FedFlix: Clausewitz and Jomini—Evolution of Modern Warfare, Lesson 4

Fedflix

Program from the Combat Studies Institute. Provides an overview of two of the Western world's best military theorists. A comparison of their views, ideas, and a method of how to best contrast their theories is presented. (65 minutes)

FedFlix: American Military Experience—Evolution of Modern Warfare, Lesson 5

Fedflix

This program from the Combat Studies Institute examines how to approach the lesson on American Military Experience 1815-1862 in the Evolution of Modern Warfare course. Panelists consider the U.S. strategic posture after the Mexican-American War, and the roles of the army, navy and militia. They consider how the Mexican-American War impacted the thinking of American officers in the Civil War. They consider technological changes in transportation, communication and weaponry that would prove crucial in the Civil War. They consider the beginning of the Civil War in light of war aims, expectations and balance of forces. (62 minutes)

FedFlix: Nuclear Weapons and the Cold War—Evolution of Modern Warfare, Lesson 12

Fedflix

This Program from the Combat Studies Institute is designed to give military instructors ideas on presenting "Nuclear Weapons and the Cold War," lesson 12 in "Evolution of Modern Warfare." It offers suggestions for how to present the Cold War context, thinking on nuclear strategy and deterrence, and the post-WWII reorganization of the military and national security apparatus. Panelists show how the existence of nuclear weapons led to questions of whether the army has a continued role, and whether to prepare for limited war. Discussion of the Cold War context takes us through competing theories resulting from U.S. efforts to understand the motives behind Soviet expansion, and the evolution of our theory and strategy regarding our relationship with the USSR. Emphasis is on ongoing evolution both of the Cold War and of resulting military and nuclear strategy. (58 minutes)

FedFlix: American Expeditionary Force in Siberia

Fedflix

This Archival Film, taken by the Signal Corps during the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) of 10,000 officers and men to Northern Russia from August, 1918 to April, 1920, documents the activities and mission of the multinational Allied Forces to guard war materiel left over from World War I, defend the Trans-Siberian Railroad from civil turmoil in Russia, and aid the evacuation of returning Czech troops while in the U.S.S.R. (28 minutes) Note: This digitally remastered version may reveal limitations of the technology available at the time of the performance.

FedFlix: After the War, 1918–1923—The Air Force Story

Fedflix

This film demonstrates Army Air Service activity following World War I, including the first air mail flight by ex-Army pilots; Hawks' daredevils stunt flying; aerial photography and reconnaissance training; improvements in parachutes; aviation cadet training programs; and General Mitchell's precision bombing tests on warships. Note: This historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (18 minutes)

FedFlix: Global Operations, 1943—The Air Force Story

Fedflix

This episode of the Air Force Story covers large scale operations in 1943, including plans to destroy Nazi U-Boats at the Casablanca Conference, bringing the enemy submarine threat under control; supplies air lifts over Himalayas to China; fighters protecting the Northwest region from Japanese attack; and Solomon Island Campaign highlights. Note: this historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (14 minutes)

FedFlix: The Big Picture—Summer Storm

Fedflix

Part one of three films on military history of the Korean War. Jim Lucas of Scripps-Howard newspapers helps to tell the story. (29 minutes)

FedFlix: The Tide Turns—Army in Action, Episode 7

Fedflix

Conduct of war in Europe in 1944; Allied advance in Italy, France, and Belgium; liberation of Paris, and advance into Germany.

FedFlix: Patriotism: Have It Your Way

Fedflix

Narrated by John Wayne, this film presents definitions of patriotism by U.S. citizens, members of our armed forces and Vietnam P.O.W. returnees. The voices of Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and John Kennedy express reasons why American servicemen fought and died for their country through the years. Draws the conclusion that patriotism is alive, well, and working in the United States and, best of all, each person is free to define it in his or her own words. (19 minutes)

FedFlix: United States Army Helicopter Operations in South Vietnam

Fedflix

This film covers Vietnamese life, enemy action, and answers to helicopter attack.

FedFlix: Saigon, Target Zero

Fedflix

This archival South Vietnamese Army (RVNAF/ARVN) newsreel is a propaganda film about the Tet Offensive in Saigon. (19 minutes)

FedFlix: Friends and Neighbors—People You Know

Fedflix

This film provides a comprehensive overview of the Air National Guard involvement in Vietnam. Following various ANG tactical fighter squadrons, we see their immediate response to the call to active duty, deployment to Southeast Asia, and the extraordinarily successful mission accomplishment that followed. Narrated by Bob Crane. (27 minutes)

FedFlix: Staff Film Report 67-2

Fedflix

This archival footage reveals military activities in Vietnam during November and December 1966. Elements include: 1st Infantry Division, 6th Psychological Operations Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division, and U.S. Marines USAREUR training and recreational activities of military personnel. Note: This historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (26 minutes)

FedFlix: Staff Film Report 67-4

Fedflix

Vietnam: November and December 1966—1st Royal Australian and New Zealand Army Units, 11th Armored Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry, and citations for heroism in combat. (17 minutes)

FedFlix: Contact! (Ambush)

Fedflix

This U.S. Marine Corps film covering combat in Vietnam emphasizes the importance of patrol action in maintaining contact with an elusive enemy. Sequences show land and river patrols and a successful attack on a Viet Cong controlled village. (13 minutes)

FedFlix: Staff Film Report 66-47A

Fedflix

This archival footage reveals military activities in Vietnam during October and November 1966. Elements include: a 3rd Ordnance Ammunition Depot attack; General Westmoreland presenting awards to the 503rd Infantry; the 173rd Airborne Division; Vietnamese National Independence Day; Exercise Nan-Chang; and the Presidential Pacific-Asian Tour. Note: This historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (24 minutes)

FedFlix: The Big Picture—The Sky Soldiers

Fedflix

This, the story of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, includes its operations at Yung Tau and Bien Hoa and Operation “New Life,” aimed at protecting the rice harvest for a hungry people and more. (29 minutes)

FedFlix: The Big Picture—Ready to Strike

Fedflix

Depicts the “Tropic Lightning” 25th Infantry Division—its history and its exploits in Vietnam as a combat unit and a nation-building force.

FedFlix: The Full Blade

Fedflix

This archival footage reveals a civic action program being carried out by the Marine Corps in Vietnam. Vietnamese farmers harvest rice crop for the first time in many years, guarded by Marines who had cleared the area of Viet Cong. Food distributions and medical assistance are given to the Vietnamese. Note: This historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (14 minutes)

FedFlix: Staff Film Report 66-12A

Fedflix

This archival footage reveals U.S. military activities in Vietnam during January, February, and March, 1966. Elements include: 25th Infantry, 1st Air Cavalry, 1st Infantry, 101st Airborne, 173rd Airborne, 5th SP “HALO” training; and 8th Army Honor Guard. Note: This historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (33 minutes)

FedFlix: The Battle of Khe Sanh

Fedflix

This film recounts the victory of American and Allied forces in this most important single battle of the Vietnam War which took place in 1968. Beginning by highlighting the military and political history of Khe Sanh, it shows tactical and strategic air power supporting ground forces; cites teamwork between air and ground forces that successfully repelled massive enemy attack; and depicts supply air lifts and medical evacuation. Note: This historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (29 minutes)

FedFlix: The American Dreadnaught

Fedflix

The USS New Jersey is demothballed and recommissioned to join the fleet for service in Vietnam. Written by battleship historian Richard Hough, narrated by Martin Gabel, musical score by Thom George.

Vladimir Lenin Talks With Vladimir Bonch-Bruevich after his Attempted Assassination ca. 1918

The WPA Film Library

In August 1918 two suspected members of the Social Revolutionary Party shot Vladimir Lenin in an attempted assassination. Although Lenin survived, his life was probably shortened due to the injuries he sustained. The ruthless 1917 Bolshevik Revolution resulted in Lenin's dictatorial rule over the USSR; no tolerance was given to opposition, and Social Revolutionaries were mass-murdered. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Celebrities Enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces and Sell War Bonds During World War II ca. 1942

The WPA Film Library

World War II has sometimes been referred to as the "Good War" because of its widespread public support, the economic boom that it caused, and the sense of fighting for a just cause. The Office of War Information's (OWI) Domestic Branch produced radio, film, and written materials for dissemination to the American public. The goal was to create unity and boost morale and motivation surrounding the war effort. Many celebrities joined the cause, selling war bonds and even enlisting in the armed forces. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Jane Fonda Talks about Her Visit to Vietnam ca. 1972

The WPA Film Library

Actress Jane Fonda was one of the most vocal protestors of the Vietnam War and worked on three anti-war films in the 1970s. The 1971 New York Times publication of the Pentagon Papers - a classified Defense Department study of the faulty decision-making during the war - led to a stronger anti-war sentiment among the public. In 1972, Fonda made a two-week trip to North Vietnam, during which she was photographed sitting atop an enemy weapon and broadcast on the radio pleading with American soldiers to disobey orders to fight. This incident generated controversy, and she later apologized for her carelessness. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

WWII Bomber plane Memphis Belle Completes 25 Missions ca. 1943

British Pathe

The B-17 bomber Memphis Belle was the first U.S. heavy bomber fighting in Europe to complete 25 combat missions and keep its entire crew alive. When a crew reached 25 missions they were allowed to return home, and the tale of the Memphis Belle provided a much-needed morale boost for other members of the Air Force. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British Propaganda Film Covers the Mau-Mau Uprising ca. 1954

British Pathe

In 1952, the Mau-Maus launched a rebellion against the British foreign rule in Kenya. The Mau-Mau's killed European settlers and African "loyalists" with equal abandon. The uprising continued until 1956 when British troops finally defeated the Mau-Mau's. The ultimate political impact of the rebellion was to make the injustices of European colonialism in Africa more visible to the world. In the two decades following, other African countries launched their own rebellions and independence movements. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Kuomintang Soldiers Expel Communist Party Members ca. 1926

British Pathe

Following the Chinese revolution of 1911, the Chinese Nationalist Party (the Kuomintang) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) allied with one another in an attempt to bring unity to heavily splintered and warlord-controlled China. This alliance shattered in April 1927, when Kuomintang forces, led by Chiang Kai-Shek, forced Chinese Communist Party members out of Shanghai and executed a number of party leaders, driving most Chinese communists underground. Though the Kuomintang party took control of China following this struggle, Chiang's government was overthrown by Mao Zedong and the CCP in 1949. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Government Film Promotes War Bonds ca. 1944

The WPA Film Library

During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt argued that it was important that Americans feel connected to the war effort. The Treasury Department began selling war bonds, which were redeemable for a higher price if they were held for a certain amount of time. Advertising companies, celebrities, and athletes contributed to the push for the public to buy war bonds. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Japanese Troops Fight During the Sino-Japanese War ca. 1930s

British Pathe

Some historians have called the start of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937 the true beginning of World War II. Throughout the 1930s, Japan followed an aggressive foreign policy that sought to expand its empire. Japan invaded parts of northern China in July 1937, during which time the country was also beset by fighting between the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-Shek and Communists under Mao Zedong. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Japanese Americans Walk through a Processing Center on Way to Internment Camps ca. 1941

British Pathe

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans living in the western United States were subjected to widespread suspicion and prejudice. At the time, many Americans believed that Japanese Americans were loyal to Japan and could act as spies. The War Department began instituting new rules that barred Japanese Americans from owning radios or other household items. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that forced Japanese Americans to move into internment camps in the western United States. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

General George S. Patton Presents soldiers with Medals During World War II ca. 1944

British Pathe

General George S. Patton was one of the most respected and feared Allied generals during World War II. Unhappy with Allied progress in Europe after D-Day, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower promoted Patton to the head of the Third Army and directed him to push his troops deeper into German-controlled territory. Patton soon became known for his military strategy and tenacity, and he was instrumental in the liberation of France and the Allied victory in the Battle of the Bulge. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

African-American soldiers Undertake Combat Drills During World War II ca. 1945

British Pathe

Despite the huge need for manpower during World War II, U.S. military units officially remained segregated throughout the war. African-American soldiers who fought in the war were assigned to segregated squadrons, and they generally did not fight alongside their white counterparts. One notable exception, however, was the Battle of the Bulge, in which the extreme circumstances led military leaders to integrate approximately 2,500 African-American troops. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allied Troops Enter China after Retaking a Portion of Burma Road ca. 1945

British Pathe

Throughout much of World War II, Allied forces concentrated on preventing Japan from invading British-held India. It was not until 1945 that Allied forces began to push Japanese troops back east across China. One major turning point in the Allied cause was the recapturing of the Burma Road, the main overland supply route that connected China to India. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

UN soldiers Fight the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge During the Korean War ca. 1951

British Pathe

The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge was one of the last major UN offensive strikes during the Korean War. The ridge was heavily fortified by North Korean troops, and it provided a strategic high point over the surrounding valley. After taking Heartbreak Ridge, UN troops continued to move north toward China. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Douglas MacArthur Delivers a Speech to Congress Following His Dismissal ca. 1951

British Pathe

General Douglas MacArthur was one of the most popular and controversial figures of the 1940s and 1950s. Believing that he could achieve a quick victory in the Korean War by invading Communist-held areas north of the 38th parallel, MacArthur ultimately expanded the war and helped provoke China to launch a counteroffensive into Korea. President Harry S. Truman then relieved MacArthur of his command for insubordination. Nevertheless, MacArthur remained an enormously popular figure and delivered a famous speech to Congress in which he declared that "old soldiers never die, they just fade away". Copyright The WPA Film Library.

President Harry S. Truman Declares that America's Civil Liberties Will Help Win the War Against Communism ca. 1950

British Pathe

Despite his willingness to send U.S. troops on combat missions in the Korean War, President Harry S. Truman was continually charged by his opponents and some members of the press with being "soft" on communism. In response to these accusations, he declared that a strengthening of American civil liberties and avenues of dissent would help win the cold war because it would show the strength of the democratic system of government. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

John F. Kennedy Addresses Reporters During the 1961 Berlin Crisis ca. 1961

British Pathe

The Soviet Union's decision to erect a wall between East and West Berlin initiated the Berlin Crisis of 1961. With the construction of the wall, the Soviet-controlled eastern portion of the city was separated from the western portion, which was controlled by the United States and its allies. Many feared that the crisis would result in an escalation of the cold war. Addressing reporters, President John F. Kennedy cautioned against calls for strikes against the Soviet Union and said that, because of nuclear weapons, Americans "happen to live in the most dangerous time in the history of the human race". Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Housewife Prepares a Family Breakfast During 1950s ca. 1955

The WPA Film Library

Following World War II, popular representations of domestic life in the United States centered around a traditional nuclear family, which had clearly defined gender and economic roles. Men were thought of as the primary breadwinners, while women were often assumed to be responsible for the upkeep of the family home. Eventually, discontent with these traditional roles in the face of the uncertainty of the cold war lead many of the "baby boom" generation to rebel against their parents and their expectations of stability. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

New Zealand Forces Prepare for the Attack on the Solomon Islands ca. 1944

British Pathe

Battles between the Allied forces and Japan over the Solomon Islands were vital to the Pacific theater of World War II. At the beginning of 1944 joint U.S.-New Zealand forces secured Bougainville, bringing the Solomon Islands campaign to a successful close. Allied control of the islands was a significant victory against Japan. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Kwame Nkrumah Meets with Indira Gandhi ca. 1966

The WPA Film Library

Kwame Nkrumah was the first president of Ghana. An ardent Pan-Africanist, Nkrumah was ousted in a military coup while he was on a mission to China in 1966, accompanied by Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. Unable to return home, he lived in Guinea until his death in 1972. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

American Nurses Demonstrate Gas Masks ca. 1917

British Pathe

During World War I, the use of chemical weapons such as chlorine and mustard gas became commonplace, killing nearly 100,000 people. Because this degree of chemical warfare had never been experienced, troops were initially at a loss as to how to protect themselves. In makeshift trenches, American nurses equipped with gas masks performed demonstrations on what to do if enemy troops deployed chemical weapons. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Juan Peron Is Inaugurated in Argentina ca. 1946

British Pathe

Juan Peron, a former military leader who was instrumental in overthrowing Argentina's civilian government in 1943, was elected president of the country in 1946. He soon began ruling the country as a dictator and ushered in Fascist-inspired street groups that enforced his political ideology. He also brought the country's banks, railroads, and utilities under state control. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Delegates Sign a Treaty Establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NAT0) ca. 1949

British Pathe

Following World War II, the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) became a pillar of the cold war philosophies of containment and collective security. Each nation that joined NATO agreed that an attack on any of the treaty members would be considered an attack on all of them. This military alliance also marked a drastic change in U.S. foreign policy, which had previously held that the nation would not become closely involved in European affairs. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Delegates Meet to Discuss the Marshall Plan ca. 1947

British Pathe

Following World War II, U.S. secretary of state George Marshall formulated a plan that called for the United States to provide billions of dollars in loans and grants to European countries that were rebuilding from the devastation of war. Along with the recognition that U.S. exports depended on a healthy European economy to prosper, the plan was also seen as a preemptive move against the possible spread of communism to Western Europe. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Buddhists Protest in Saigon ca. 1966

The WPA Film Library

The Buddhist protests of 1966 were rooted in mistrust of the South Vietnamese government (GVN), which protestors saw as too friendly with foreign powers (namely the United States). Vietnam was divided into four military regions, or corps, governed by generals. General Nguyen Chanh Thi of the I Corps, who was a Buddhist, was considered a threat by the U.S. government, who thought he might be too soft on communism, and was subsequently removed from office. This sparked widespread Buddhist protests, which in turn gave rise to the Struggle Movement. This additional layer of infighting caused the U.S. government to question its presence in Vietnam and contributed to declining public support for the war in the United States. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British People Carry Gas Masks ca. 1939

British Pathe

The extent of chemical warfare during World War I had unsettled Europeans. As World War II approached, the British government decided to distribute gas masks to the entire population of Britain. Distribution took place during the Munich Crisis of 1938, during which Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain conceded the Sudetenland to Adolf Hitler, for the promise that Germany would not attempt to annex any more territory. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Ngo Dinh Diem Becomes President of South Vietnam ca. 1954

British Pathe

In 1954, Vietnamese emperor Bao Dai appointed pro-Catholic Ngo Dinh Diem as prime minister; Diem became president of South Vietnam the following year. The U.S. government was at first supportive of the anticommunist Diem, but Diem's repressive policies toward the Buddhist majority of South Vietnam eventually caused the United States to withdraw its support. Diem was assassinated by rebels on November 1, 1963. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Discusses Nikita Khrushchev's Visit at a Press Conference ca. 1959

British Pathe

In September 1959, Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the United States at President Dwight Eisenhower's invitation. At a press conference, Eisenhower stated his hope that the visit would contribute to the "melting" of the cold war. However, relations soured when a U.S. spy plane was shot down by Soviet troops in May 1960. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Representatives Sign the Limited Test Ban Treaty ca. 1963

The WPA Film Library

On August 5, 1963, representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union met in Moscow to sign the Limited Test Ban Treaty, which prohibited the experimental detonation of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater, or in space. (The treaty did, however, allow the countries to continue detonating nuclear weapons underground.) More than 100 other nations also signed the treaty, which was regarded as a step toward ending the cold war. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Independence Leads to the Congo Crisis ca. 1960

British Pathe

The Congo Crisis of 1960 followed Belgium's grant of independence to its former colony, which became known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The failure of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers to restore order to the country led Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba to seek assistance from the Soviet Union, which inflamed cold war tensions with the United States. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

FBI Official Explains Investigations of New Left During 1960s ca. 1975

The WPA Film Library

In 1975, the Church Committee began a series of investigations into covert operations conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). During these hearing, FBI officials revealed that agents investigated a number of members of the New Left and that the agency focused its resources on surveillance of groups that advocated violence. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Quakers March on the Pentagon to Protest the Vietnam War ca. 1963

The WPA Film Library

Members of the Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, were one of many religious groups that opposed the Vietnam War out of moral concerns. Many religious Americans believed that the war was unjust and morally wrong and joined in the growing antiwar movement. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Regime of Ngo Dinh Diem Collapses in South Vietnam ca. 1963

The WPA Film Library

The support for Ngo Dinh Diem's corrupt government in South Vietnam crumbled in 1963. He was unable to stop the growth of sympathy toward North Vietnam and pushed a hard line against both the country's Buddhist majority and communist cells. In November 1963, South Vietnamese generals staged a coup and murdered Diem. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The WPA Film Library: Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin to Negotiate the Camp David Accords ca. 1978

The WPA Film Library

In September 1978 Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin traveled to Camp David, Maryland, to participate in the Camp David Accords, mediated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. While the meetings at Camp David were ostensibly held to discuss the establishment of Palestinian autonomy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, the most significant development to come out of the accords was a peace agreement signed between Egypt and Israel. For this, Sadat and Begin were jointly awarded the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. Critics of the peace agreement felt that without the threat of the Egyptian military force Israel had little incentive to continue any further peace talks with Palestine.

The WPA Film Library: Idi Amin Takes Power in Uganda ca. 1971

The WPA Film Library

In January 1971 Idi Amin, chief of the Ugandan army and air force, led a coup against Milton Obote and named himself president of Uganda. Upon seizing power Amin embarked a campaign to execute all of his potential rivals, including two-thirds of the military. A ferocious dictator, Amin was responsible for the deaths of between 100,000 and 300,000 Ugandans during his eight years in power.

The WPA Film Library: Les Aspin Recommends Quotas for Women in the Military ca. 1984

The WPA Film Library

In 1984, as a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, Les Aspin (D, WI) recommended that the military introduce quotas that would increase the number of women serving in the armed forces in order to avoid a shortage of manpower. Ten years later, as secretary of defense, Les Aspin revoked the Department of Defense's "Risk Rule", which had restricted the military occupations that women could engage in.

The WPA Film Library: Security Consultant Points Out Vulnerabilities in Washington, D.C. ca. 1995

The WPA Film Library

On April 19, 1995, a terrorist truck bomb detonated at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Following the Oklahoma City bombing, security was tightened at government buildings across the United States - especially in Washington, D.C.

Construction Workers Build a Highway ca. 1960

The WPA Film Library

In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, which authorized the construction of more than 40,000 miles of highway. The purpose of the act was to create a network of roads that could be used to escape a Soviet invasion or nuclear attack. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The WPA Film Library: International Protestors Demonstrate against President Reagan's "Star Wars" Program ca. 1980s

The WPA Film Library

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan announced his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), popularly known as "Star Wars". Critics saw the program, which aimed to develop new weapons technology, as an escalation of the cold war rather than a means to its end. Not surprisingly, it sparked worldwide protests.