The Evolution of Chile: Prosperity for Some

University of Notre Dame

In just 25 years, Chile has gone from a Marxist state to a dictatorship to a democracy. The transition has strengthened Chile's economy, but not all Chilean citizens have shared in the prosperity. In fact, the divisions between rich and poor have widened, causing critics to question whether democratic capitalism is the right solution. As the scenario unfolds, so do the moral issues surrounding the economic path Chile has chosen. Using Chile as a case study, this program examines these issues, and the difficulties experienced by other Third World nations also riding the tidal wave of post-Cold War economic reforms. (29 minutes)

Indonesia at the Crossroads

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

In Indonesia, activists seek to return their country to its traditional moral values after a period of rapid economic growth that resulted in rampant nepotism and corruption under President Suharto. As Muslim students and Hindu priests work to revitalize Indonesia while preserving a democratic ideal, this thought-provoking program provides an in-depth portrait of a country seeking to redefine itself within a historical context of religious tradition and tolerance. (35 minutes)

Remember the Maine: The Roots of the Spanish-American War

Café Productions

"The U.S.S. Maine Blown Up in Havana Harbor-268 Men Lost" shouted the headlines of the day. Using archival footage, newspaper excerpts, and historical documents, this program traces the roots of the Spanish-American War to Spain's quest to preserve its flagging empire, American imperialism, and the genuine desire on the part of Cubans to shake off the yoke of Spanish domination. It closely examines the role of Cuba's poet/patriot Jose Marti, exposes American expansionist policies that contributed to our decision to enter the war, and reveals Spanish attempts to thwart open conflict. (50 minutes)

El Cantar de Mio Cid

Ente Público Radiotelevisión

El Cid is unique among the world's great epics because it was composed so close to the actual historical events (a mere 40 years after the death of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, el Cid himself) that we can distinguish between man and legend. Meticulous attention to historical detail, spectacular cinematic production values, and the swashbuckling plot itself make this medieval epic superbly entertaining as well as educational. An RTVE Production. (Spanish with English subtitles, 60 minutes)

Abu Ghraib: A Torturer's Tale

Journeyman Pictures

Javal Davis was imprisoned for assaulting inmates at Abu Ghraib, but insists he is not a torturer. His fellow MP Ken Davis was never implicated, having reported the abuse to superiors. This program presents in-depth interviews with both men, detailing their side of the story and conveying their disillusionment with Pentagon officials who wanted interrogations pushed “up a notch.” Featuring nightmarish descriptions and images from inside the prison—highlighting deplorable conditions endured by inmates and guards alike—the program also includes insight into the mentality of reservist Charles Graner, currently serving a 10-year sentence for Abu Ghraib torture. Some content may be objectionable. (25 minutes)

Delegates Sign the Truce Ending the Korean War ca. 1953

British Pathe

On July 27, 1953, generals from the United States, North Korea, and China signed an armistice that ended the Korean War. The agreement established a demilitarized zone at the 38th parallel and provided for voluntary prisoner repatriation. The armistice was not a formal peace treaty, however, and U.S. troops continue to be stationed in South Korea. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Cubans Prepare for War During the Cuban Missile Crisis ca. 1962

British Pathe

The United States and the Soviet Union reached the brink of war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, during which U.S. warships began a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent the Soviet Union from stationing nuclear missiles in the country. During the blockade, Cuban soldiers and students prepared for a possible U.S. invasion, while the family members of U.S. forces stationed at a base at Guantanamo Bay were evacuated. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Ross Perot Discusses American POWs in Vietnam ca. 1970

The WPA Film Library

In 1969, businessman and philanthropist Ross Perot visited southeast Asia to try and negotiate the release of American (prisoners of war) POWs captured during the Vietnam War. Earlier, he had flown several of the POWs' wives to Paris in hopes of eliciting French assistance and at Christmas of that year, he attempted to deliver gifts and supplies to the POWs. This was unusual because Perot was not acting as an official agent of the United States but rather as a sort of freelance goodwill ambassador. Perot, who believed that Americans should be more active in encouraging the U.S. government to tackle problems such as the POW crisis, sponsored televised "town hall" meetings to raise awareness of the issues of the day. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. and British Troops Airlift Supplies into Berlin ca. 1948

The WPA Film Library

After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Although Berlin fell within the boundaries of the Soviet-occupied territory, it was treated as a special case and shared equally between the four powers. In 1948, tension between the former Allies and the Soviet Union prompted the Soviet Union to initiate a blockade of supplies into Berlin. In response, the United States and Great Britain began airlifting food and supplies into the city. The Berlin airlift lasted 11 months. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

George McGovern Criticizes Richard Nixon on the War in Vietnam ca. 1972

The WPA Film Library

In 1972 as the war in Vietnam wore on, treaty talks in Paris were stalled and the North Vietnamese continued to launch offensives. President Nixon responded to these offensives with U.S. air strikes and the mining of Haiphong harbor. Senator George McGovern, a candidate for president and a critic of the war, denounced Nixon's action. The following year Congress passed the War Powers Act, which greatly curbs the powers of the Executive to wage war. The War Powers Act has not been recognized by any president. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The WPA Film Library: Cold War Fuels Interest in the Hydrogen Bomb ca. 1950

The WPA Film Library

After the close of World War II, the U.S.S.R. and the United States entered into the cold war, wherein the two nations competed for world influence. The United States had already developed and used the atom bomb in 1945 against Japan; in 1949, the U.S.S.R. detonated their own atom bomb. This marked the start of the arms race between the two nations. The United States, now no longer the only country with nuclear weapons, began the development of the hydrogen bomb. The hydrogen bomb was expected to be 1,000 times more powerful than the atom bomb. Support of the hydrogen bomb became political, with those who opposed it labeled un-American or disloyal to the United States. In 1952 the United States tested a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific. By 1953 the Soviets had their own, and the arms race continued.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Cambridge Educational

This program deciphers the legislative process by explaining how an idea metamorphoses into a law. In interviews, prominent legislators and lobbyists explain how a bill is conceived, moved through the House and Senate or killed in committee, amended, prepared for a vote, and sent to the president or governor for a signature. A Cambridge Educational Production. (27 minutes)

U.S. Marines Remove Vietnamese Refugees from a Burning Town ca. 1965

The WPA Film Library

The Vietnam War was fought on unfamiliar territory with unusual tactics for the United States. Vietnamese soldiers used guerrilla tactics on the ground to make up for the force they lacked in other power, and the war played out in the jungles and villages of Vietnam's countryside. Relationships between U.S. soldiers and Vietnamese civilians were tense. Vietnamese women, children, and elderly all fought, making it difficult for American soldiers to identify the "enemy. This situation led to incidents of abuse, such as the notorious My Lai massacre, in which American soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

American Women Work in the War Industry During World War II ca. 1943

The WPA Film Library

World War II created new opportunities and demands for women to join the workforce. Although official government propaganda, distributed by the Office of War Information (OWI), praised their role in the war industry. While the number of women in the workforce increased from roughly one quarter in the 1930s to one third in 1944, the prevailing attitude remained that the phenomenon should be temporary - for "the duration" of the war. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Clark Gable Teaches Gunnery in the U.S. Air Force ca. 1943

British Pathe

American film star Clark Gable was one of many celebrities who enlisted in the armed forces during World War II. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Tojo Hideki and Other Japanese War Criminals ca. 1948

British Pathe

Japan's prime minister during World War II, Tojo Hideki, was notorious for the war crimes he perpetrated. After the war he was tried and convicted by the International Military Tribunal of the Far East and sentenced to death. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Benito Mussolini Visits Munich ca. 1937

British Pathe

On October 25, 1936, Germany and Italy announced that they were forming a strategic alliance they termed an "axis". When Italian dictator Benito Mussolini visited Munich in 1937 to confer with German leader Adolf Hitler, he was greeted with fanfare by the German people. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Army Nurses Train for Combat Duty During World War II ca. 1943

British Pathe

Although female nurses had been recognized as part of the U.S. Army and Navy in previous conflicts, World War II marked the first time that women were trained to work in combat situations. In addition to working as nurses, women joined the Women's Army Corps (WAC), the navy's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) as a part of the overall war effort. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

IBM and U.S. Navy Officials Celebrate the Success of the Naval Ordinance Research Calculator (NORC) Military Computer ca. 1954

British Pathe

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, U.S. military officials began efforts to use emerging computer technology for military purposes. Due to cold war tensions with the Soviet Union, U.S. officials incorporated these machines into an early warning system that would detect a nuclear weapon launched toward the United States. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Harry S. Truman Declares that UN Troops in Korea Are Intended to Keep Peace ca. 1950

British Pathe

The Korean War threatened to lead to an outright war between the United States and China and the Soviet Union. In announcing that U.S. troops would fight in the war under United Nations (UN) command, President Harry S. Truman declared that his intention was to preserve the post -World War II peace in the region. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Amy Johnson Lands Her Airplane after Her Solo Flight to Australia ca. 1929

British Pathe

In May 1930, Amy Johnson, dubbed England's "Queen of the Air" became the first woman to make a solo flight from London to Australia. During her career she set several flight-time records: England to Japan (1931), England to Capetown (1932, and again in 1936), and in 1934 she set a record with her husband, Jim Mollison, in a flight to India. At the outbreak of World War II, Johnson joined the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). She was on a mission for the Air Ministry when her plane crashed in the Thames River, killing her, in 1941. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Woman Tests Exercise Machines ca. 1950s

The WPA Film Library

During the 1950s, Americans paid increasing attention to physical fitness. In 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower created the President's Council on Youth Fitness, after viewing a study that revealed that more than half of American children could not pass a test of "minimum muscular fitness". Eisenhower was especially perturbed by the study because when the same test was administered to European students, nearly 100% passed. The author of the study attributed European children's superior fitness to their active lifestyles: European children walked and bicycled to school, whereas American children were most often driven to school by their parents. The pursuit of fitness gave rise to more rigorous physical education guidelines, as well as some unusual weight-loss devices, which promised to "shake" excess weight off. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Children Speak to the U.S. House of Representatives about Nuclear War (Part 1) ca. 1983

The WPA Film Library

Thanks in part to Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars") and the United States' failure to ratify the SALT II treaty, the threat of nuclear war loomed large in the American consciousness during the early 1980s. In 1983, a group of children testified before a House committee to express their hopes that their fears of nuclear war would never become reality. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

France Builds Maginot Line as Defense against Germany ca. 1929

British Pathe

Beginning in 1929, under direction of Andre Maginot, the French built a line of defensive fortification at its northeastern border in order to prevent any future German invasion. The series of fortresses was considered impenetrable and included an underground railroad, barracks, and hospitals. Unfortunately, the Line did not cover the Belgian border, and it was from here that the Germans invaded in 1940. Today, a "Maginot Line" refers to projects doomed to failure. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Marines Recruit on a College Campus ca. 1972

The WPA Film Library

For much of the 20th century the U.S. Marine Corps has been known as one of the elite divisions of the U.S. military. The Marine presence in Vietnam lasted from 1965 to 1971. With the abolition of the draft in 1973, the USMC relied exclusively on recruitment for new soldiers. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Jimmy Carter Speaks Out against Iranians Holding Americans Hostage ca. 1979

The WPA Film Library

In January, 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown during the Iranian Revolution. In late October the Shah was permitted to enter the United States to receive medical treatment. Less than two weeks later, on November 4, students stormed the U.S. embassy in Iran, taking hostages. Ayatollah Khomeini, who now led Iran, publicly condoned the actions of the students and refused to intervene. The hostage crisis continued for over a year, with 53 hostages released on January 20, 1981, the day of President Reagan's inauguration. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Richard Nixon Reports on the Status of the War in Vietnam ca. 1970

The WPA Film Library

Despite increasing dissent from Americans involved in the anti-war movement, Nixon believed that victory in Vietnam was still possible, and tried to show the American people the progress that was being made. At the time of this address, American troops were being replaced with U.S.-trained South Vietnamese troops, which enabled the gradual reduction of the United States' military presence. Allied troops were also successfully containing enemy activity. However, peace negotiations in Paris were not going well; Nixon felt that accepting the terms of the Paris accords would humiliate the United States and lead to defeat in Vietnam. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Richard Nixon Discusses Movement into Laos and Cambodia ca. 1970

The WPA Film Library

By spring 1970 the war in Southeast Asia had intensified. According to Nixon, Hanoi invaded Laos and Cambodia in violation of the Geneva agreements. Nixon followed with defensive movements into these nations. This action proved unpopular and led to still more anti-war protests, including the confrontation between students and the National Guard at Kent State University in Ohio, which left four students dead. Also at the time of this address, Nixon was already withdrawing troops and replacing them with American-trained South Vietnamese soldiers. As a result, American casualties were at a five-year low. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Richard Nixon Discusses Failure of the Paris Peace Negotiations ca. 1970

The WPA Film Library

There is "no progress at the negotiating table," according to President Nixon. The United States has met the four demands outlined by those negotiating for North Vietnam: they have stopped bombing North Vietnam; there have been reductions of United States troops; the United States is negotiating with the National Liberation Front; and the United States agrees, in principle, to fully withdraw all troops upon successful negotiation. However, in Nixon's words, the United States had "taken risks for peace," but there was no progress. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Richard Nixon Addresses the POW Crisis in Vietnam ca. 1970

The WPA Film Library

Prisoners of War (or POWs) were of great concern to Americans, and it was assumed that POWs were being tortured by their captors. As a result of the Paris accords, almost 600 POWs were released by North Vietnam in 1973; some of these POWs had been held since the mid-1960s. Despite heavy anti-war sentiment and no decisive victory in Vietnam, many POWs were received as heroes when they returned to the United States. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British and U.S. Air Forces Drop Bombs on Dresden ca. 1945

British Pathe

In February 1945, U.S. and British forces attacked the German city of Dresden. The attack on Dresden, which took place near the very end of World War II, was the largest single display of British and American firepower. An estimated 35,000 German civilians were killed as Dresden was destroyed. The firebombing of Dresden remains controversial, as some scholars argue that the targeting of civilians and the amount of force used were unnecessary at this late stage in the war. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allied Troops Invade Okinawa ca. 1945

British Pathe

On March 14, 1945, Allied forces landed on the island of Okinawa, 350 miles southwest of the Japanese home island of Kyushu. The three-month-long Battle of Okinawa was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War II, leaving 12,500 U.S. soldiers and over 100,000 Japanese dead. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British Children Evacuate Cities at the Beginning of World War II ca. 1939

British Pathe

When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Europeans realized that Adolf Hitler would not be content until he controlled the entire continent. Britain declared war on Germany soon after. As Britain prepared to enter the war, thousands of British children were evacuated from their city homes to rural areas and overseas, where they would be safe from German attacks. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Soldiers Receive Bread Supplies ca. 1918

British Pathe

It was difficult to get supplies to the densely wooded Argonne forest area during World War I. When bread loaves were delivered, U.S. soldiers, known as "doughboys" celebrated. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

French Soldiers Parade through the Arc de Triomphe ca. 1919

British Pathe

World War I formally ended on November 11, 1918. The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed in 1919, established the terms of peace between Germany and the Allies. French soldiers paraded through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to celebrate victory. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allies Liberate Paris During World War II ca. 1944

British Pathe

Two months after landing at Normandy, Allied forces marched into Paris, liberating the city from four years of German occupation. Allies paraded through the Arc de Triomphe, with leader of the Free French Charles de Gaulle among them. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Cold War Era Computers Provide U.S. With Early Warning Defense System ca. 1960

The WPA Film Library

Early computers were heralded by the U. S. military as a means of recognizing and preventing a surprise attack on the nation during the cold war. These computers, which were large enough to fill several rooms, collected data from radar stations, aircraft, and patrol ships to give a large snapshot of the nation's airspace. The government also created public service films in order to demonstrate its military capabilities and calm the nation's fears of an attack by the Soviet Union. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Marines Invade Iwo Jima ca. 1945

British Pathe

The tiny island of Iwo Jima, recently renamed Iwo To, served as a strategic air base during World War II. In early 1945, U.S. bombers began making runs over the island in preparation for a landing. The U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima stood as one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific theater of the war, as Japanese soldiers refused to surrender and fought almost literally to the last man. The high casualty rate on Iwo Jima was later seen as an ominous sign of the difficulty of invading mainland Japan, and it contributed to the American decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

General Matthew Ridgway Oversees UN Retreat from Seoul During Korean War ca. 1950

The WPA Film Library

After China entered the Korean War in late 1950, United Nations (UN) forces under U.S. command were forced to make a long southern retreat. Matthew Ridgway, who was promoted to head of the Eighth Army after General Walton H. Walker was killed in an automobile accident, oversaw the retreat from Seoul. Ridgway's forces regained Seoul in March 1951, and President Harry S. Truman announced that he would seek peace negotiations that divided the country at the 38th parallel. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Soviet Ships Withdraw Missiles from Cuba During the Cuban Missile Crisis ca. 1962

The WPA Film Library

In response to the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, the United States began a naval blockade of the island in October 1962. The blockade - called a quarantine - was aimed at preventing any additional Soviet weapons from reaching the island. After secret negotiations, the Soviet Union announced that it would withdraw its missiles from Cuba in exchange for an American promise not to invade the island. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Planes Drop Napalm Bombs in Vietnam ca. 1967

The WPA Film Library

The Vietnam War presented a new challenge to the U.S. military, which was accustomed to fighting wars on largely defined battlefields. In response to guerilla warfare, U.S. jets began to drop napalm bombs on suspected Viet Cong sites. After everything had been burned away, ground troops would then canvass the area, searching for guerilla fighters, weapons, or tunnel systems. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Douglas MacArthur Surveys the Results of the Inchon Landing ca. 1950

British Pathe

After North Korean forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the United States and other European countries participated in a "UN Policing Action" in Korea. On September 15, 1950, General Douglas MacArthur decided to make an amphibious assault on the Korean city Inchon. He chose the site because of its proximity to both Seoul and the Kimpo airfield, the only hard-surface runway in Korea. After the successful landing MacArthur secured Seoul and the airfield, sending North Korean forces into retreat across the 38th parallel. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Troops Prepare for the Formal Japanese Surrender Aboard the USS Missouri ca. 1945

British Pathe

World War II drew to a close when Japan expressed the desire to surrender on August 10, 1945, following the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. President Harry S. Truman announced V-J day on August 14, though the official surrender documents were not signed until September 2, aboard the USS Missouri docked in Tokyo Bay. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Anti-Vietnam War Protestors Picket outside of Luci Johnson's Wedding ca. 1966

The WPA Film Library

President Lyndon B. Johnson's commitment to continued U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War led to large antiwar protests throughout the United States. Protestors even showed up to protest the war at his daughter Luci's 1966 wedding. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Appoints Earl Warren to the Supreme Court ca. 1953

The WPA Film Library

In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed California governor Earl Warren to the position of Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, following the sudden death of former chief justice Fred Vinson. The Warren Court became one of the most influential courts in American history, presiding over such monumental cases as Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Parisians Celebrate Armistice Day ca. 1918

British Pathe

World War I ended on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. The long and bitter war had weakened the French economy, and Parisians took to the streets to celebrate its conclusion. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

John F. Kennedy Discusses Vietnam at a Press Conference ca. 1962

British Pathe

At a press conference in 1962, President John F. Kennedy was asked to explain the virtual "press blackout" regarding military operations in South Vietnam. President Kennedy said that secrecy was necessary to keep crucial tactical information out of the hands of the communists. Although he admitted that the United States was providing "assistance" he did not reveal that he had authorized the deployment of 8,000 U.S. troops the previous October. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Mussolini Bust Is Destroyed ca. 1945

British Pathe

The Italian dictator Mussolini aligned himself with Adolf Hitler during World War II in hopes that the German war machine would help him achieve his goal of creating a modern Roman Empire. In the process he deported thousands of Jews to Hitler's concentration camps and brutally annexed Ethiopia. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Japanese Suicide Bombers Attack American Ships ca. 1945

British Pathe

During the last year of World War II, Japanese fighters flew suicidal kamikaze missions against American aircraft carriers, deliberately crashing their planes into the ships. The attacks were highly destructive, sinking a total of 26 Allied warships, and the suicidal persistence of the Japanese pilots was emotionally disturbing to troops. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British Citizens Learn to Convert their Homes into Air Raid Shelters ca. 1940

British Pathe

During World War II the British government distributed booklets to civilians instructing how to safeguard a home against German bombing raids. Recycled materials such as linoleum and curtains were used to protect against dangerous shrapnel and shattered glass. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Plays Golf and Meets Constituents During the Campaign Season ca. 1956

British Pathe

President Dwight D. Eisenhower ran for reelection in 1956 despite suffering from heart problems. In recognition of the rising popularity of television and its power to establish a candidate's image, Eisenhower used the new medium to show himself in good health and spirits. As a result the public was never fully aware of the extent of his illness. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The Hindenburg Explodes ca. 1937

British Pathe

While landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937, the German zeppelin Hindenburg burst into flames. A large crowd had gathered to witness the landing of the world's largest rigid airship, which was also seen as a symbol of Nazi propaganda. Investigation determined that atmospheric electricity had ignited flammable hydrogen gas leaking from the airship's balloon. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allied Soldiers Wage the Meuse-Argonne Offensive ca. 1918

British Pathe

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the decisive battle of World War I. Commanded by General John J. Pershing, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) set out in September 1918 to drive German forces out of the Meuse-Argonne region of France. The offensive was the largest undertaken in World War I, with over 1 million soldiers under Pershing's command. After a grueling six weeks, troops broke the German defense, though at a cost of 26,000 AEF soldiers killed and 95,000 wounded. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Signs the Selective Training and Service Act ca. 1940

British Pathe

In 1940 President Roosevelt signed the first ever military conscription bill during peacetime, requiring men 18 to 35 to register for draft. Although the United States had not yet entered World War II, the threat of the Axis powers loomed across the Atlantic Ocean. After the U.S. entry into the war, the age restriction was expanded to include men 18 to 65. In total, more than 13 million men were enlisted through the Act. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Anti-Vietnam War Activists March on the Pentagon ca. 1967

British Pathe

In the late 1960s student anti-war groups protested against the U.S.'s continued military presence in Vietnam, the conflict's high death toll, and atrocities committed by American troops against Vietnamese civilians caught in the fighting. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Germany Invades Poland ca. 1939

British Pathe

In September 1939 Germany invaded Poland. The German tactic of blitzkrieg, or "lightning war" featuring massive numbers of naval, land, and air forces, enabled the Nazis to quickly and completely overrun the smaller Polish army. In response France and Britain declared war on Germany, marking the outbreak of World War II. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Ronald Reagan Criticizes President Jimmy Carter's Foreign Policies During the 1980 Election ca. 1980

The WPA Film Library

The Iranian hostage situation, during which revolutionaries in Tehran seized the U. S. embassy and held 66 Americans hostage, was one of the most important issues during the 1980 presidential campaign. Despite President Jimmy Carter's pledge to bring the Americans home safely, many of his opponents, including Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, argued that the continued crisis was indicative of a failure of Carter's leadership. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Gary Powers Is Captured by the Soviet Union ca. 1960

British Pathe

On May 1, 1960, Lieutenant Gary Powers was shot down and captured by Soviet troops while on a reconnaissance mission for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The incident had a negative effect on U.S.-Soviet relations. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Flight Lands at Los Angeles International Airport ca. 1965

British Pathe

Following World War II, the introduction of commercial jet aircraft changed the worldwide aviation industry. For the first time, passengers could travel across the United States or across the Atlantic in a short period of time. This growth led to the establishment of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1958. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Muammar al-Qaddafi Seizes Power in Libya ca. 1969

The WPA Film Library

In 1969, while King Idras was away for medical treatment, the Free Unionist Officers Movement - a revolutionary socialist group of military officers led by Muammar al-Qaddafi - staged a bloodless coup. Qaddafi, who patterned himself after Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, converted Libya to a socialist Islamic state, with an emphasis on Pan Africanism. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Military Unveils New Radar Plane ca. 1956

British Pathe

During the cold war, the U.S. military undertook a sustained research and development project to create new weapons and technologies that could prevent a surprise attack by the Soviet Union. One outgrowth of this project was the increasing sophistication of radar. In the mid-1950s, jets equipped with high-tech radar equipment began patrolling U.S. and European airspace. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Factory Builds Jets and Automobiles During 1950s ca. 1953

British Pathe

Following World War II, the U.S. government continued its many contracts with large companies that built its weapons, aircraft, and vehicles. Factories that could build both commercial automobiles and military jets were part of what President Dwight Eisenhower later called the "military-industrial complex", and were promoted by military leaders as vital in the continuing cold war with the Soviet Union. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The WPA Film Library: Veterans Attend Dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial (Part 1) ca. 1982

The WPA Film Library

The dedication of the national Vietnam War Memorial in 1982 drew large crowds of veterans whose lives were still affected by their service. Vietnam veterans, unlike those who returned from World War II or the Korean War, did not receive a large public demonstration of support. This, and the desire of many to heal the rifts in the country between those who supported and opposed the war, helped inspire the construction of the memorial within 10 years after close of the war.

Members of Congress Question Reagan Administration Officials on Civil Defense Plans (Part 1) ca. 1982

The WPA Film Library

In 1982 the Senate held hearing into the Reagan Administration's plans regarding civil defense in the event of a nuclear war. The catalyst for the hearings was an assertion made by T. K. Jones, a member of the Department of Defense, to a Los Angeles Times reporter that the United States could recover from a nuclear attack, thereby calling into question the deterrent of "mutually assured destruction". Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Members of Congress Question Reagan Administration Officials on Civil Defense Plans (Part 2) ca. 1982

The WPA Film Library

Throughout much of the cold war, the United States and the Soviet Union adhered to a policy that held that the mutually assured destruction of each country in the event of a nuclear war would prove to be the greatest deterrent to the use of atomic weapons. The assertion of officials in the Reagan Administration that nuclear war could in fact be survivable prompted a series of Congressional hearings into the nation's civil defense system. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The WPA Film Library: B-70 Bomber Performs Test Flight ca. 1964

The WPA Film Library

The U.S. air force deployed manned B-52 bomber planes during World War II to destroy strategic targets. After the war the military shifted away from developing new bombers, instead focusing on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). In 1964 the government tested a long-delayed prototype of B-70 bomber. The plane never went into production, but did influence the development of new passenger planes for commercial aviation.

Allies Attack Guadalcanal ca. 1942

British Pathe

On August 7, 1942, U.S. Marines landed on the Japanese-controlled island of Guadalcanal, located in the Solomon Islands. The Battle of Guadalcanal, which lasted until February 1943, was a key Allied victory of World War II because it reversed Japan's advancement into the South Pacific. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Charles de Gaulle Arrives in Paris ca. 1944

British Pathe

Nearly three months after D-Day, on August 24, 1944, French tanks under the direction of Major General Jacques Philippe Leclerc rolled into Paris in order to liberate the city from German occupation. Two days later General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, led a victory parade through the city. The success of Operation Overlord - the Allies' codename for the recapture of mainland Europe from the Nazis - marked a major turning point in World War II. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British People Celebrate VE Day ca. 1945

British Pathe

On May 7, 1945, the German army surrendered at Rheims, France, bringing an end to the European theater of World War II. The ceasefire was to take place on May 8, which then became known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. VE Day celebrations were particularly festive in Britain, where thousands of people turned out in London to see the royal family and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The WPA Film Library: Hawaiians Celebrate Statehood ca. 1959

The WPA Film Library

On August 21, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act. Hawaii, which had been annexed to the United States in 1898, became the 50th state in the Union.

Douglas MacArthur, from The WPA Film Library Speeches Collection

The WPA Film Library

This collection of significant speeches given by Douglas MacArthur spans a decade that ranges from the mid-’40s to the mid-’50s.

The Big Picture: Pictorial Report No. 27

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army covers three separate stories that are interrelated in a pictorial report format. The first deals with medicine, the second with experimentation, and the third with construction. But all are concerned with some of the Army’s peacetime roles. With footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this fascinating documentary introduces viewers to the role of Army medicine in relation to civilian disaster; explores the Army’s Corps of Engineers and the work it does in minimizing the effects of disasters before they occur; and depicts scores of military assignments, both in war and peace. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: This Is the Infantry

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

What is an Infantryman? For two centuries he has been in the bulwark of our country's defense. From the hardships at Valley Forge, to the 38th Parallel of Korea, the Infantryman has been a fighter and a man of courage unafraid to meet the enemy head-on in hand-to-hand combat. The Infantryman is trained to be resourceful, aggressive, and self-reliant at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Featuring footage from the National Archives and Records Administration, this classic episode produced by the U.S. Army provides viewers with a fascinating look at the making of an Infantryman as he learns what it takes to earn the right to that proud battle cry--I am the Infantry! Follow me! (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: DEW Line

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series presents the story of the DEW line, the remote radar stations of the Distant Early Warning System and latest link in the gigantic network of sight and sound. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary was filmed by two camera crews whose members followed the East and West Coast Task Forces through their special DEW Line training at Fort Eustis; departure in convoy from Hampton Roads, VA., and Seattle, WA., rigors of the trip through the Arctic ice pack; preparations for discharge; and the difficult and diversified conditions encountered at the actual unloading sites. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Defense of Japan

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode in the Big Picture series features the departure of American troops from the Far East as a major change in U.S. Cold War strategy. In the post-war years, American instructors helped train Japanese police reserves. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary details how the U.S. guided a new Japanese military organization to undertake national defense responsibilities. By helping Japan defend itself, the West helped address the Soviet threats in the Pacific.

The Big Picture: The Lodge Act Soldier

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This film documentary, produced by the U.S. Army for The Big Picture series, and filmed almost entirely on the sound stages of the Signal Corps Pictorial Center in Long Island City, brings to light the many soldiers who escaped Communism to enter the free world. In this video, viewers look on as the same men who once trained in armies behind the Iron Curtain show American soldiers what life in a Communist army is like. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary includes Communist training and newsreel films as well as first-hand accounts by Lodge Act soldiers. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Strategic Army Corps (STRAC) Fourth

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This film presentation of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series follows the Famous Fourth Infantry Division (also known as the "Ivy" Division) in World War II as it landed in Normandy and fought its way across Europe. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary shows how the Fourth Division assumed a major share in the responsibility of maintaining the peace and security of the free world under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The film ends with a visual analysis of STRAC Fourth’s present strength and vital purpose—to preserve the peace anywhere and at any time. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Far East Military Assistance Advisory Groups (MAAGs)

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series covers eight different countries in the Far East, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary presents the story of how these countries and the United States have been strengthened by the work of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Groups stationed there. The military aid to these eight nations is one of the most effective defenses the free world has against Communist aggression. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The Aggressor

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series captures the “Aggressors,” a giant training aid of the United States Army that formed after World War II at Fort Riley, Kansas. The documentary examines the threefold mission of the Aggressor Army: to provide a realistic enemy for maneuver training, to provide realistic situations for intelligence training, and to make sure all American soldiers are aware that any future enemy will look and act differently from what they are accustomed to. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives Records and Administration, this short documentary shows the liberation of the United States to date by the Aggressor Army, Member Circle Trigon Party. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Ranger Ready

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series depicts the story of the U.S. Army Rangers, the proud corps of elite combat-ready troops who undergo the most rugged training in the Army. This interesting corps has a history that dates back almost 200 years, when the original thirteen colonies were under British rule and includes serving with George Washington’s Colonial troops and being active in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration takes viewers from the mountains of North Georgia to the swamps of Florida to show the Rangers’ training as it is practiced today.

The Big Picture: World Trouble Spots

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series provides a grim kaleidoscope of world trouble spots: the Berlin Wall, Laos, South Vietnam, and Cuba. Scenes of this video from the National Archives and Records Administration document Red China as it crushed a revolt in Tibet, then attacked a militarily weak India; Cuban freedom fighters as they attempted to retake their homeland and met disaster; Russian missiles discovered in Cuba; and President John Kennedy's ultimatum to Nikita Khruschev. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Medal of Honor

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series presents a dramatic salute to the heroic soldiers who have won the Medal of Honor, the supreme tribute “for gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.” At the time that this video from the National Archives and Records Administration was recorded, 3,156 American servicemen had been decorated with the honor. Narrated by Alexander Scourby, this film depicts the gallantry on battlefields from Gettysburg to Korea. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Drill Sergeant

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

The role of the Drill Sergeant in the system of personalized training created by the U.S. Army is featured in this episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration also depicts the methods used in basic combat training. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Your Army Reports, No. 11

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series examines a U.S. firepower demonstration in West Germany, German-American friendship in Berlin, a day in the life of a helicopter pilot, the combat artist at work, and the search for the enemy in the lowlands of Vietnam. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration concludes with a report about a flying chaplain and his jungle parish. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The United States Army in Europe (USAREUR) Story -- Part I and II

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This two-part classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series spotlights the massive power and technical prowess of USAREUR, the United States Army in Europe. In two 30-minute documentaries filmed in Europe, this program shows what it takes to equip, train and backup the soldiers who defend the freedom of the Western Alliance. Footage from the National Archives and Records Administration relates the scope and readiness of men and machines, from the massed American Fourth Armored Division to the colorful spectacle of Italian Bersaglieri and Alpini troops. These forces are part of NATO, which stands with USAREUR as a most effective deterrent to any would-be aggressor. Note: this historical recording may contain variations in audio and visual quality based on the variations of the original source material.

The Big Picture: Missions Unlimited

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

In this classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series the role of the American soldier and his abilities to man the first line of defense in the country’s struggle against communism is explored. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration details how U.S. military power is organized for operations in three basic types of warfare: general war, limited war, and insurgencies. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The Seventh Army Story

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series goes back to July 1943, when the Seventh Army was one of the great armies formed to crack the walls of fortress Europe. Viewers will see the Seventh invade Sicily in its first campaign. Commanded by General Alexander M. Patch—a soldier who roamed his front lines—the Seventh anticipated the German operation “Northwind” that came on New Year’s Eve 1944 and continued for 23 days. Now postwar, the Seventh trains with other NATO forces in exercises such as “Wintershield” in Germany. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration showcases this major American ground force in Europe. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: When the Chips Are Down

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

Renowned entertainer Bob Hope narrates this classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration shows the training and readiness of the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard, a major part of the nation’s strength in reserve. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Action Vietnam

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series begins with a scene from December 1964 in which President Lyndon Johnson awarded Captain Roger Donlon the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Vietnam. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this interesting documentary goes on to describe the difficulties of fighting in Vietnam and how it was a "twilight war fought in shadow and stealth." (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The Army in Taiwan

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series presents the story of the U.S. Army's advisory activities with the Republic of China forces in Taiwan (Formosa). Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this historical recording documents the advice, assistance, and training given to these forces by the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The Unique War

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series examines how the Vietnam War differed from the previous wars the United States engaged in. Featuring footage from the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary explores how a conflict with no conventional battle line (also known as a guerrilla war) had its unique difficulties and how our mission in Vietnam was to win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Flying Soldiers

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic documentary film from the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series presents the story of Army aviation. Viewers will see everything from a foot soldier to an Honest John missile. During a simulated battle, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters rush soldiers to the front. Also seen in this episode is the latest in Army aircraft, the revolutionary Tilt Wing, the Caribou, and the Mohawk. From the National Archives and Records Administration. Note: this historical recording may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Special Digest

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic special digest from the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series covers two subjects. The first, “I Know Where I Am Going,” is an entertaining vignette that illustrates the opportunity available to a young man to serve a six-month period of military duty with the Army and then return to civilian pursuits while remaining in the Active Reserve. “Cantigny,” the second story, showcases the new museum of the Army’s famous First Division. The ultramodern museum near Wheaton, Illinois, is portrayed as a masterpiece of modern museum design that brilliantly highlights the proud history of the Big Red One. From the National Archives and Records Administration. Note: This digitally remastered version may reveal limitations of the technology available at the time of the performance. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Communications Zone (COMZ)

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

International film star Jean Pierre Aumont narrates the little-known story of the U.S. Army’s vast European logistical network—Communications Zone, U.S. Army, Europe—in this classic episode from the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series. From America through the ports of Holland, France, Germany, and Italy flow the tens of thousands of items needed to keep the Army tactical forces prepared for any threat; COMZ meets the enormous challenge of supplying and equipping an entire army on assignment in Western Europe. From the National Archives and Records Administration. This is archival footage with imperfections throughout. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Your Army Reports, No. 15

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series covers the following topics relating to activities of the U.S. Army: a day in the life of a U.S. guard post in the Korea demilitarized zone; an Army orthopedic clinic in Boston, Massachusetts; combat action in Vietnam; the U.S. Army Air Defense Command’s “missile mentor”; and the wide variety of men’s hats and headgear.

The Big Picture: Airborne Medic

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

Here is a dramatic film presentation from the U.S. Army’s classic The Big Picture television series depicting the airborne doctor and medical corpsman in battle, a team that brings new honors to a service that has traditionally been the best in the world. As the combat infantryman took to the air, so did the elements of supply he needed on the ground—the quartermasters, the artillery, the medics. This role has now been captured on film: the role of airborne medics in modern tactical operations. From the National Archives and Records Administration. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The 1st Cavalry Division in Korea

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

Today the Army is a mechanized force, but “cavalry” is a proud word in military terminology. The men of the 1st Cavalry Division call themselves troopers, like their tough forbears who, a century ago, rode against the Indian tribes of the west. Today, these men of the division (sometimes called “the first team”) keep alive the cavalry’s tradition of bravery by fighting with courage and an indomitable will to win. From the National Archives and Records Administration, this classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series brings to light the story of the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The Making of a West Pointer

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

From the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series, this classic episode shows life at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point through the eyes of Cadet John Reed, future Army officer and now a “plebe.” From the National Archives and Records Administration. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Stay Alert, Stay Alive

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series portrays the strenuous six-day, 80-hour training period that the replacement soldier receives in Vietnam. This training is designed to supplement the soldier’s stateside training with more specific training that reflects the climate and terrain conditions in which he eventually fights. From the National Archives and Records Administration. This digitally remastered version may reveal limitations of the technology available at the time. (30 minutes)

The Post-War Years

Media Rich Learning

A part of the series America in the 20th Century. The end of World War II was the beginning of U.S. global power as well as a milestone in the nation's economic prosperity and domestic political currents. This program examines America during the years 1945 to 1960, in which the Cold War loomed, babies boomed, and the suburban family became the bull's-eye of the mass market. Viewers learn about the leadership transition from Truman to Eisenhower, the creation of the interstate highway system, the advent of TV and rock-n-roll, and more. Correlates to standards from the National Council for the Social Studies. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. (40 minutes)