High

Roosevelt's new deal to Americans delivered some of the most important political and economic reforms in the 20th century. How America was transformed in the 1930s is examined and the legacy of these changes is assessed.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into the most devastating war of the 20th century. America's diplomatic road to war and the wartime mobilization, including the internment of Japanese Americans is analyzed.

Turning to diplomacy and military operations, the reasons for Allied success are assessed. The holocaust, use of atomic bombs, and how the war transformed the world and the place of the United States in it are examined.

After considering the status of American identity, freedom, and equality in 1945, we turn our attention to the emerging cold war. The development and application of the containment policy in Europe and Asia is assessed, and the fear of communism at home is examined.

Although the cold war tensions persisted, most Americans were pursuing their vision of happiness in the late 1940's and 1950's. The expanding economy, the changing nature of work, suburban life, and the important strides toward ending segregation in America are explored.

Dreams of freedom and equality for all Americans moved toward a greater degree of reality during the dynamic civil rights movement of the 1960s. The leadership and tactics of the movement, how it changed America, and why the movement eventually stalled is analyzed.

The winds of change sweeping across America in the 1960s and early 1970s seemed to be blowing everywhere. The counterculture, American Indian protest movements, Latino movements, and the second wave of feminism are examined. What did it all mean?

Amidst the excitement swirling within America in sixties, the United States continued to grapple with dangerous issues in the world arena. After reflecting upon the Cuban Missile Crisis, the complex story of American involvement in Vietnam and how that affected the American people is examined.

Liberal policies brought great change in America from FDR's New Deal to LBJ's Great Society. This lesson examines why liberalism came under attack from all sides in the late 1960s and early 1970s and how the Watergate Affair, coming on the heels of the Vietnam War, confirmed public mistrust of politicians and government.

Reflecting upon the status of American identity, freedom, and equality during the nation's bicentennial, the resurging conservative politics that prevailed for the last quarter of the 20th century are examined. Was government really the problem? Was the era of big government really over?

The American economy headed in a different direction in the late 20th century. Why did this happen? What did it mean? Public policy, the effects of technology, the changing nature of work and the workforce, and the decline of organized labor are examined.

As Americans adjusted to emerging economic realities, the pace of their lives quickened. How did they cope with new freedoms and opportunities? Recent social history, including immigration and affirmative action is analyzed.

America had to adjust its role in the world in the late 20th century. The end of the Cold War, Americas continued involvement in the Middle East, and how American policymakers defined U.S. interests in a complicated and often violent world is analyzed.

At the turn of the 21st century, American culture seemed to be everywhere, and global trade accelerated. Then foreign terrorists attacked America on September 11, 200l. Why did this happen? The many dimensions of globalization, including the war on terrorism are analyzed.

This final lesson reflects upon American identity, freedom, and equality from the perspectives of our recurring experts, as well as our featured family members. Looking forward, we examine how we might secure a more perfect union for our posterity.