This film covers American history from WWI up until the Cold War. It begins during World War I, covering the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. As this video explains, America waited until 1917 to declare war on Germany. The video reviews various international events that helped cause the war, along with its aftermath. Next, the program looks at the Roaring '20s and the rise of the Jazz Age that saw great performers, like
Louis Armstrong, gain increased attention. It examines the conflicting moral values that led to Prohibition as well as the reasons why it was eventually repealed by the 21st Amendment. The video also reviews the challenging days of the Great Depression when one-third of America's banks failed, as well as the global events that led up to World War II. Finally, it covers the Cold War that unfolded following America's decision to drop the bomb on Japan. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide