American Experience Season 11 Episodes

Episode 1

America 1900

Wed, Nov 18, 1998120 mins

Exploration of life in America in the first year of the 20th century, using archive film footage and photographs.

Episode 2

Race for the Superbomb

Mon, Jan 11, 1999113 mins

This documentary chronicles the development of the hydrogen bomb by both the Americans and the Soviets, from World War II to the early 1960s. After the invention of the atomic (fission) bomb brings World War II to an end, physicist Edward Teller pushes for the development of a "super" (fusion) bomb of theoretically-unlimited power. Meanwhile, the Soviets embark upon a crash program to build their own atomic bomb, using information provided by Klaus Fuchs and other spies. The Strategic Air Command (SAC) is formed to counter the Soviet military threat, with General Curtis LeMay in charge. When the United States learns of the first Soviet atomic blast, the Americans start developing the H-bomb in response. To no avail, several U.S. atomic scientists oppose the H-bomb as an immoral weapon that threatens the entire human race. After the Americans detonate their first hydrogen bombs (which are too large to be transported by air), the Soviets successfully test an air-dropped hydrogen bomb of their own "layer-cake" design developed by Soviet physicist Andrei Sakharov. The American public becomes increasingly convinced that surviving atomic war is futile, as the two superpowers continue to improve the quantity, reliability, and accuracy of their nuclear arsenals.

Episode 3

Hoover Dam

Mon, Jan 18, 199953 mins

Rising more than 700 feet above the raging waters of the Colorado River, it was called one of the greatest engineering works in history. The Hoover Dam, built during the Great Depression, drew men desperate for work to a remote and rugged canyon near Las Vegas. There they struggled against heat, choking dust and perilous heights to build a colossus of concrete that brought electricity and water to millions and transformed the American Southwest.

Episode 4

Alone on the Ice

Mon, Feb 8, 199960 mins

Commander Richard Byrd's winter at the South Pole.

Episode 5

Rescue at Sea

Mon, Feb 15, 199960 mins

Episode 6

Meltdown at Three Mile Island

Mon, Feb 22, 1999

A well laid out description of the timeline and evens that happened with personal interviews, noted authors and others that were involved at that time. Along with historic video footage and still photographs it stitched together the events that led up to the major event at that day. Interviews conducted with the : * governor of PA. * media people from MetEd. * people from the NRC (Nuclear Regulating Agency) * mayor of Milltown ( closest to TMI).

Episode 7

Lost in the Grand Canyon

Mon, Apr 5, 199960 mins

Episode 8

MacArthur

Mon, May 17, 1999120 mins

Biography of U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur. Part one looks at his early life and service in World War I.

Episode 9

MacArthur: Part 2

Tue, May 18, 1999

Biography of U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur. Part two focuses on his return to the Philippines in 1944, his post WWII years in Japan as Supreme Allied Commander and his military command during the Korean War.

Episode 10

Fly Girls

Mon, May 24, 1999

The story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in World War II.