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The Complete History of U.S. Wars 1700-2004
War has always been part of the American experience. From the time the first colonists set foot upon North Americas shores, they were in conflict with the native inhabitants. One hundred years later, the colonies suddenly found themselves an extension of the conflicts in Europe. Less than a century later, the Revolutionary War freed the fledgling United States from its British overlords and European entanglements. Born and nurtured in war, America grew in strength and power until, at the beginning of the 21st century, it was the foremost military power in the world.Academy Award-winning actor George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke) takes you through this 300-year saga.
"The Global Wars" (5/13)
After World War I, the 19th-centurys old balance of power vanished. Once more, world domination through military conquest loomed as an actual possibility. In the years 1939 to 1953, America spread its military across half the planet and took command of the fight against totalitarianism in World War II and communism in the Korean War.
After World War I, the 19th-centurys old balance of power vanished. Once more, world domination through military conquest loomed as an actual possibility. In the years 1939 to 1953, America spread its military across half the planet and took command of the fight against totalitarianism in World War II and communism in the Korean War.
"The Cold War" (5/20)
By the middle of the 20th century, a completely new kind of war emerged, a war whose battles did not allow for direct confrontation between the two main combatants, the United States and the Soviet Union. Direct confrontation with atomic weapons would have led to the total annihilation of both adversaries. The seventh program looks at the years from 1952 to 1969, the principal years of the Cold War battles between America and the Soviet Union.
By the middle of the 20th century, a completely new kind of war emerged, a war whose battles did not allow for direct confrontation between the two main combatants, the United States and the Soviet Union. Direct confrontation with atomic weapons would have led to the total annihilation of both adversaries. The seventh program looks at the years from 1952 to 1969, the principal years of the Cold War battles between America and the Soviet Union.
"The Police Wars" (5/27)
As the Vietnam War drew to a close, it became clear that the American military had experienced a devastating defeat to a communist adversary. It was the first loss in U.S. history. Ironically, at the same time the danger from the greater nemesis of global communism was on the decline. The final program looks at the years 1973 to 2004, a time when the American military would reach an all-time low, only to re-emerge as the worlds single superpower with a new role as the worlds policeman.
As the Vietnam War drew to a close, it became clear that the American military had experienced a devastating defeat to a communist adversary. It was the first loss in U.S. history. Ironically, at the same time the danger from the greater nemesis of global communism was on the decline. The final program looks at the years 1973 to 2004, a time when the American military would reach an all-time low, only to re-emerge as the worlds single superpower with a new role as the worlds policeman.
Air Date
Saturdays, 4/8-5/27 from 3:30-4 a.m. ET
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