Back to Show
American Experience
Fear and the Great Depression
By the time of the "War of the Worlds" broadcast in 1938, U.S. citizens had been suffering through the Great Depression for nearly ten years. In his 1933 inaugural address, FDR recognized that the dominant mood of the country in the 1930s was not anger or resentment at the capitalist system but in fact was shame and fear.
Support Provided By
Season
1:52:30
The story of housewives who led a grassroots movement to galvanize the Superfund Bill.
52:54
The untold story of the people who fought tirelessly to save women from cervical cancer.
1:52:39
The lively but neglected history of the women who changed the world while flying it.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:32
The story of the German American Bund, a pro-Nazi group active across the US in the 1930s.
Unlock with PBS Passport
51:27
Explore the culture war that erupted over the spectacular rise of disco music.
1:47:21
The story of a Mississippi town’s effort to integrate its public schools in 1970.
1:52:40
Revisit 1970s Boston, when court-mandated school integration unleashed racial unrest.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:36:51
Casa Susanna was a refuge for transgender women and cross-dressing men in the 1950s-60s.
52:22
Unsung scientist Mária Telkes dedicated her career to harnessing the power of the sun.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:22:29
Discover the story of the 1969 showdown between President Nixon and the antiwar movement.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:17
Discover the unexpected history behind Monopoly, America’s favorite board game.
1:52:24
The influential author and anthropologist whose work reclaimed and honored Black life.