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The Presidents Connect today's election issues with the past

 

Chapter:

Crossing the 38th Parallel (9:35)
MacArthur convinces Truman to fight the Chinese in Korea. Truman denies MacArthur's demand to use atomic weapons.
FDR

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Truman
LBJ
Nixon
Carter
Reagan
G H W Bush

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TRUMAN, Chapter 15

Hiroshima and Nagasaki (7:32)
The U.S. drops atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. The Japanese surrender and World War II ends.
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LBJ, Chapter 22

A Miasma of Trouble (15:14)
Johnson struggles to keep his dream of the Great Society alive while the country spins out of control.
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TRUMAN, Chapter 25

Truman Defeats Dewey (9:47)
Taking his "New Deal" message on a whistlestop campaign across the country, Truman defeats New York governor Thomas Dewey.
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TRUMAN, Chapter 26

Fighting Communism (10:10)
Facing the Communist threat, Truman shows U.S. strength with an airlift to blockaded Berlin and air strikes and infantry in Korea.
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TRUMAN, Chapter 27

The Korean War (5:29)
U.S. troops in Korea retreat until Douglas MacArthur's surprise attack on Inchon forces the North Koreans to pull back to the 38th Parallel.
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NIXON, Chapter 15

To the Summit (7:44)
Nixon achieves foreign policy successes in China and the Soviet Union. Burglars working for Nixon's re-election committee break into the Watergate offices of the Democratic National Committee.
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Chapter 1

Introduction (2:58)
Part one of a biography of Harry Truman, the 33rd president.
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Chapter 2

Early Years (14:11)
Harry Truman grows up in Independence, Missouri. He gets his first taste of politics at the 1900 Democratic National Convention.
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Chapter 3

The Family Farm (10:22)
After working office jobs in Kansas City, Truman returns to the family farm to help his father. He woos Elizabeth Wallace.
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Chapter 4

Love and Death (10:23)
Bess Wallace rejects Truman. After his father dies, Truman leaves the farm to make his fortune, but fails in business.
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Chapter 5

World War I (9:52)
Truman shows leadership as the captain of Battery D, fighting in World War I's bloodiest battles.
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Chapter 6

Marriage and Politics (13:12)
After the war, Truman marries Bess Wallace and runs for public office.
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Chapter 7

Senator Truman, (6:45)
With the help of Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast, Truman wins a seat in the U.S. Senate.
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Chapter 8

Truman Proves Himself (9:07)
Truman works hard to understand the workings of the Senate and finds sucess.
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Chapter 9

The 1944 Election (11:21)
Truman becomes the Democrats' compromise choice for vice president.
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Chapter 10

Vice President for 82 Days (5:25)
Roosevelt keeps Truman out of his inner circle. When the president dies, Truman is nervous and unprepared.
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Chapter 11

A Man of the People (10:27)
As president, Truman makes a show of energy and confidence. Americans warm to his straightforward manner.
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Chapter 12

Endgame in Japan (10:04)
After the war in Europe ends, Truman focuses on the bitter battle with Japan. Bess Truman is uncomfortable as first lady.
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Chapter 13

On the World Stage (10:27)
Truman meets with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin to decide the fate of Europe. In New Mexico the atomic bomb is successfully tested.
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Chapter 14

Nuclear Diplomacy (7:06)
Truman takes a tougher stance at Potsdam after receiving news of a successful atomic bomb test in New Mexico.
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Chapter 15

Hiroshima and Nagasaki (7:32)
The U.S. drops atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. The Japanese surrender and World War II ends.
Watch Now

Chapter 16

CreditsProduction credits for part one of the television program.
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Chapter 17

CreditsHead credits for part two of the television program.
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Chapter 18

Introduction (2:16)
Part two of a biography of Harry Truman, the 33rd president.
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Chapter 19

The Post War Economy (10:59)
Truman faces domestic challenges. He takes a tough stance against striking railroad workers.
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Chapter 20

The Mid-Term Elections of 1946 (4:47)
The Republicans gain majorities in both houses of Congress.
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Chapter 21

The Truman Doctrine (9:04)
As the Soviets control Eastern Europe, Truman acts to stop Communism in Greece and Turkey.
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Chapter 22

American Power (6:50)
Truman establishes the Marshall Plan and prepares the country for a new kind of war -- the Cold War.
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Chapter 23

A Stand for Human Rights (11:21)
Before the election of 1948, Truman boldly calls for civil rights for African Americans and for Israel to be recognized.
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Chapter 24

The Conventions (6:41)
Despite Democrats' misgivings, President Truman is nominated at a dispirited Democratic Convention.
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Chapter 25

Truman Defeats Dewey (9:47)
Taking his "New Deal" message on a whistlestop campaign across the country, Truman defeats New York governor Thomas Dewey.
Watch Now

Chapter 26

Fighting Communism (10:10)
Facing the Communist threat, Truman shows U.S. strength with an airlift to blockaded Berlin and air strikes and infantry in Korea.
Watch Now

Chapter 27

The Korean War (5:29)
U.S. troops in Korea retreat until Douglas MacArthur's surprise attack on Inchon forces the North Koreans to pull back to the 38th Parallel.
Watch Now

Chapter 28

Crossing the 38th Parallel (9:35)
MacArthur convinces Truman to fight the Chinese in Korea. Truman denies MacArthur's demand to use atomic weapons.
Watch Now

Chapter 29

Under Pressure (6:22)
Truman persists with a "limited war." Pressure on him grows intense as casualties mount and U.S. troops are repelled by Chinese forces.
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Chapter 30

Dismissing MacArthur (6:58)
In a controversial move, Truman removes General Douglas MacArthur from his command for insubordination.
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Chapter 31

The Last Years (9:06)
With the lowest popularity rating in history, Truman decides not to seek re-election. He retires to Independence, Missouri.
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Chapter 32

CreditsProduction credits for part two of the television program.
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  • TRUMAN: Chapter 1
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 2
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 3
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 4
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 5
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 6
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 7
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 8
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 9
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 10
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 11
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 12
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 13
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 14
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 15
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 16
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 17
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 18
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 19
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 20
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 21
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 22
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 23
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 24
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 25
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 26
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 27
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 28
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 29
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 30
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 31
  • TRUMAN: Chapter 32
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TRUMAN
Learn more about Harry S. Truman.

The Chinese in Korea
Historian Chen Jian explains Mao's motives.

Using Nuclear Weapons
Experts answer questions about the end of World War II.

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