American Experience

This first episode looks at the early life of FDR. Born into a wealthy family, there was little about his youth that would suggest the giant of history that he would become. His entry into state politics and a significant meeting with a woman named Eleanor would change his life and the course of a nation.

In this second episode, the subject is FDR's courageous fight with polio. With his wife Eleanor Roosevelt at his side, FDR, wins the Democratic nomination for president. He takes office at the beginning of the Great Depression. Exhorting the nation to keep the faith, FDR utters his famous words: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

"FDR," a two-part biography of the Nation's only four-term President. Part 1 examines his privileged upbringing; his marriage to his distant cousin Eleanor; and his early political career. Narrated by David McCullough.

In episode three, the subject is FDR's leadership of America during the Great Depression. The nation turned to this son of great wealth for a host of social programs that promised a New Deal for the common man.

In this last episode, the story turns to the war years. The days leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II were turbulent ones in America. FDR's strong leadership charted America's course, as the newly emerging world power took on the responsibilities of the war in Europe. Meanwhile, back in America, the New Deal was still a work in progress.

"FDR" concludes with a review of his Presidency, including his "New Deal" policies; and his wartime alliances with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. Narrated by David McCullough.

A program that examines America's fascination with spiritualism and the occult in the second half of the 1800s.

Oscar Micheaux and the History of Race. Oscar Micheaux wrote, produced and directed over 40 movies and despite this was really not known because he was African American . This movie recounts the history of the black film industry from 1910 to the 1940s and includes rare clips and highlights.

American forces moving toward Germany to end the war are opposed by a deadly counter-offensive that leads to a great loss of life.

America’s War on Poverty was originally broadcast in 1995 as a five-part series on PBS. The documentary was created by Blackside, Inc., and covers events that took place after President Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.”

America’s War on Poverty was originally broadcast in 1995 as a five-part series on PBS. The documentary was created by Blackside, Inc., and covers events that took place after President Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.”

America’s War on Poverty was originally broadcast in 1995 as a five-part series on PBS. The documentary was created by Blackside, Inc., and covers events that took place after President Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.”

America’s War on Poverty was originally broadcast in 1995 as a five-part series on PBS. The documentary was created by Blackside, Inc., and covers events that took place after President Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.”

America’s War on Poverty was originally broadcast in 1995 as a five-part series on PBS. The documentary was created by Blackside, Inc., and covers events that took place after President Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.”

Examining the struggle to legalize the vote for women, with a focus on the partnership of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, the movement's founders. Also: infighting within the organization; the leadership of Alice Paul. Narrated by Susan Sarandon.

The struggle of the women's movement and the 19th Amendment that finally extended national suffrage to women.

The struggle of the women's movement and the 19th Amendment that finally extended national suffrage to women.

"The Way West," a chronicle of the American expansion west of the Mississippi and its tragic consequences for Native Americans. The first part examines how millions were inspired to strike out for new territories. Included: tensions between settlers and Native Americans; the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre. Russell Baker is the narrator. The second part examines how U.S. Army involvement and railroad construction contributed to loss of Native American land. Events covered include military campaigns against the Lakota Sioux; and Red Cloud's negotiation of the Fort Laramie treaty of 1868. Russell Baker is the narrator.

The westward expansion of the United States and the re-shaping of the destiny of white and native people - from the Gold Rush to Wounded Knee.

The westward expansion of the United States and the re-shaping of the destiny of white and native people - from the Gold Rush to Wounded Knee.

The third part examines the fight for the last remaining Native American territories. Included: the treaty-breaching plunder of the Black Hills of the Dakotas in 1873 in a search for gold; and the U.S. Army's defeat at the 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn. "The Way West" concludes with an examination of the crackdown on Native Americans following Custer's defeat, and their desperate fight to hold fast to their traditions and culture. Included: the tragic fates of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull; and the Government's banning of the "Ghost Dance," which led to the deaths of 250 Sioux in 1890 at the Battle of Wounded Knee.

The westward expansion of the United States and the re-shaping of the destiny of white and native people - from the Gold Rush to Wounded Knee.

Chronicles the crackdown on Native American tribes across the Northwest in the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Big Horn in June 1876, and charts the final, desperate days of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. Examines the rise of the heartbreaking Ghost Dance religion, and the last, horrendous massacre at Wounded Knee.