This episode chronicles the anti-Communist fervor of the 1940s and '50s, and the rise and fall of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. “Americans had become frightened not just of Joseph Stalin and Mao Tse Tung, but of one another,” notes host Mike Wallace.
A review of the First Ladies since Eleanor Roosevelt. "The job," says host Mike Wallace, "has evolved from a ceremonial backdrop into a vital presence on the world stage." Included: assessments of the First Ladies by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin; excerpts from CBS interviews with First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Since World War II, high-tech weapons have influenced outcomes in the battlefield, and their continued development promises to make future wars quicker, more violent, and more information driven.
This report on Vietnam reviews the war through CBS News stories about servicemen (“I wouldn't wish it on the devil,” says one). Included: a sergeant describes land mines in 1965---days before one killed him; an eyewitness recounts the My Lai massacre.
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, delves into the Iran-Contra scandal that almost ruined President Ronald Reagan's second term in the White House. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode spans from the heyday of President Reagan's popularity to the first uncovering of the plot of funding freedom fighters in Nicaragua with moneys from illegally sold weapons to staunch-enemy Iran. 20th Century With Mike Wallace includes CBS News footage of the Iran-Contra Congressional investigation and a variety of different governmental employees and reporters talking about the impact of the scandal on the Reagan administration and on the entire nation. There are also interviews with some key players in politics and in the scandal, including Oliver North, George Schultz, and John Poindexter
This report recalls the 1989 uprising by Chinese students and the changes in Chinese society that followed Mao's death in 1976. Interviewed: sinologists Ross Terrill and Andrew Nathan.
Mike Wallace recalls how "diplomacy and conspiracy---the two sides of Richard Nixon's Presidency"---converged in 1972, when Nixon visited China and became embroiled in Watergate. Included: CBS coverage of the February trip ("a week that changed the world," says Wallace). Interviewed: Watergate operative Howard Hunt; journalist Bob Woodward.
A review of Ronald Reagan's political career examines the 40th President's role in the growth of American conservatism. Interviewed: Reagan aides Peggy Noonan and Michael Deaver; commentator Kevin Phillips.
A look at "Washington Scandals" includes former Presidential candidate Gary Hart, Nixon Vice President Spiro Agnew, and former Congressmen Wilbur Mills and Wayne Hays. Also: the ABSCAM sting operation.
Before Johnson's escalation, before Kennedy's military commitment, and even before Eisenhower's financial support, the United States took its first tentative steps twoard a conflict that would turn into a quagmire.
By the early 1970's, North Vietnam held nearly 600 prisoners of war, mostly aviators shot down in the bombing campaign. Considered criminals by their captors, they persevered through torture and became a bargaining chip int the quest for peace.
A coordinated series of surprise attacks by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong in January 1968 left U.S. forces temporarily reeling, and the shock fed growing dissension at home over the war.
Foreshadowed by Pearl Harbor, post-World War II conflicts often mixed politics and military power, leading to disasters such as those in Korea, Vietnam, the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, the abortive hostage rescue in Iran, and the action in Somalia.
Throughout the 20th century, the American military has increasingly relied on women. But women who serve have often faced institutional sexism - and worse - while doing their duty.
America's first Cold War conflict began boldly but ended in an unsatisfying stalemate that cost 54,000 U.S. lives over three long years.
A report on the O.J. Simpson trial recaps the murder case and examines, says host Mike Wallace, “the relationship of celebrity, money and justice.” Also: a thumbnail biography of Simpson. Interviewed: defense lawyer Barry Scheck; New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin.
An examination of the events that drove Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon from office.
"Upstairs at the White House" examines the scrutiny that U.S. Presidents (and Presidential candidates) face regarding their private lives. Included: discussions of FDR and Gary Hart. Also: Warren Harding and Andrew Jackson.
A review of John F. Kennedy's Presidency (from 1961-1963).
Celebrity murders and the worldwide commotion they cause are inspected. Included: a look at the killings of Phil Hartman, Gianni Versace, Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace and John Lennon.
A study of the often-violent, malevolent decades of Naziism in America and what the subculture imported from Nazi Germany. Included: an interview with author William Pierce (“The Turner Diaries”); and a look at the prolific use of the Internet by neo-Nazis.
A report on the increase in the abuse of illegal drugs, such as heroin, marijuana, hallucinogens and cocaine, since 1960 also examines the ongoing war between law-enforcement officers and suppliers.
The effects on the city's population of the Berlin Wall's construction and destruction are explored. Included: an interview with Vernon Walters, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany.
A focus on past kidnappings in America, starting with the Lindbergh baby and including the Polly Klaas and Patty Hearst cases. Included: the laws designed to prevent them.
A look at the rise in actual and media-enhanced sex scandals involving children that have gained public attention since the McMartin Preschool incident of 1984. The head of the school and her son were charged and acquitted.
Two devastating historical events from 1968 are chronicled: the assassination of Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, and the Chicago riots during the Democratic Convention.
Sen. Joe McCarthy's term is reviewed, including the cases of Alger Hiss, and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
A look at the controversial sieges at Waco and Ruby Ridge, in which citizens were killed by Federal agents. Included: Congressional hearings about the events, causes of the violence.
A look at the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the questions that still surround his death.
Examining the effect of burning fossil fuels on the environment, which is commonly known as global warming. Scientists discuss ways to reverse the damage that has been done to the atmosphere.
Chronciling two notorious airplane crashes, including the Korean Airlines jet shot down by a Soviet fighter; and the Pan Am jet destroyed by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Profiled: George Metesky, the “Mad Bomber” who terrorized New York City in the 1950s. Also: other activists who used explosives to further their political agendas.
The growing social, economic and political power of Hispanics is examined. Included: interviews with Ruben Rambaut of Michigan State University and author Roberto Suro.
Examining the successes---and failures---of United Nations peace-keeping missions, and how the missions have changed with the end of the Cold War. Included: missions in El Salvador, Somalia, Cambodia and Bosnia.
The technology and science used to track serial killers is explored. This episode focuses on the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI, which was established in 1972 to study the psychological makeup of criminals. Included: original interviews with past FBI profilers John Douglas and Clint Van Zandt.
An exploration of the sometimes rocky relationship between the United States and Israel. Included: Harry Truman's early recognition of Israeli statehood in 1948 and his later refusal of much needed weaponry to Israel in their fight for independence against their Arab neighbors. Also: the United States role today as Israel's greatest ally, providing Israel with more foreign aid than any other country in U.S. history.
The peculiar nature of "limited warfare" required specially trained combatants, but political leaders had to learn when and where to apply these units' unique skills successfully.
A history of nuclear armament. Included: the creation of the atom bomb during World War II; the arms race during the Cold War; the threat of nuclear proliferation as a result of the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
An examination of the drug policies of six different Presidents over a 30-year period, beginning with Richard Nixon's election in 1968 through the administrations of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton.
Examining the legacy of apartheid in South Africa, from the legalized separation of the races in 1948 to the end of Nelson Mandela's presidency in June 1999.
Examining the current state of NASA. Included: the history of the U.S. space program, beginning with the 1969 Apollo moon landing. Also: NASA administrator Dan Goldin discusses the U.S. space program's future.
Chronicling efforts to fight cancer in America. Included: the medical advancements made since the National Cancer Act of 1971 was signed into law by President Richard Nixon.
Examining risks involved in hiring nannies to care for children. Included: Swiss au pair Olivia Riner, who was charged with arson and murder after the 1991 death of three-month-old Kristie Fischer. Also: British au pair Louise Woodward, who was convicted of manslaughter in the Feb. 9, 1997, death of 8-month-old Matthew Eappen.
Examining various cons, scams and swindles. Included: television marketing ploys; insurance and credit-card deceits; used-car tricks; and “sweetheart swindles.” Also: Chuck Whitlock, an investigative reporter who has written about fraud, is interviewed.
A look at the history of UN peacekeeping missions, a means of maintaining unity and security worldwide since 1948. Included: the Security Council; actions in Bosnia in the 1990s.
Recounting the events of May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio, where four anti-Vietnam War demonstrators were killed when National Guardsmen opened fire on student protesters.
Examining the history of the Special Forces branch of the U.S. Army, which utilizes guerilla tactics in contemporary revolutionary and political developments around the world.
The program describes disasters at sea. Included: the sinking of the British luxury liner Titanic in 1912, the burning of the Morro Castle cruise ship off the New Jersey coast in 1934 and the hijacking of the Achille Lauro by Arab terrorists in 1985.
Four amazing rescues are described. Included: survivors of the Andrea Doria wreck of July 25, 1956; the raid against Palestinian hijackers in Entebbe, Uganda in 1976; the rescue of Air Force pilot Scott O'Grady, who was shot down over Bosnia in 1995; and the dramatic recovery of 18-month-old Jessica McClure from a well in Midland, Texas in 1987.
Observing the Kennedys through the 1960s, from JFK's 1961 Inaugural Ball to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick in 1969.
A look at the increase of violent acts in the workplace, at home and on the road.
A look at homosexuals in the military. Included: Leonard Matlovich, who was discharged from the Air Force in 1975; Allen Schindler, who died at the hands of fellow Navy officers in 1992; and Barry Winchell, who died as a victim of an anti-gay attack in July 1999. Also: President Clinton's 1993 “don't ask, don't tell” policy.
Examining military blunders committed by U.S. spy agencies. Included: the U-2 affair of 1960 and the Chinese Embassy bombing in 1999.
The unpredictable weather of 1999 is recalled. Included: meteorologists comment on global warming.
A discussion of the Independent Counsel Law, passed in 1978 in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal; includes controversial cases, among them: Kenneth W.Starr's investigation of President Clinton. Also: the expiration of the law in 1999. Participants include Samuel Dash, Robert Bork and James McKay.
An examination of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Included: the scandals and the trial.
The Nation's increased watchfulness of the U.S. police forces following the 1991 beating of Rodney King is examined. Included: racial profiling.
A retrospective of the 1991 Persian Gulf War reexamines the major issues and the debate surrounding the end of the war.
A retrospective of the 1991 Persian Gulf War examines Saddam Hussein's biochemical-weapons threat and its validity.
An examination of situations where technological advances have led to disaster. Included: a 1976 chemical plant explosion in Seveso, Italy; the 1986 Chernobyl disaster; a 1984 accident at a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India.
A chronicle of religious issues in which the U.S. Government became involved, beginning with the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925.
