The Century: America's Time — Season 1, Episode 5: 1936-1941: Over the Edge

Episode synopsis

Safely watching Europe from across the Atlantic Ocean, many Americans observed the messianic popularity of Hitler and Mussolini and the subsequent outbreak of World War II with concern and dismay. This program explores the crucial question: could the United States resist involvement, or would American forces be sent to fight in another European war?

About The Century: America's Time

The Century: America's Time is a 15-part series of documentaries produced by the American Broadcasting Company on the 20th century and the rise of the United States as a superpower. The documentary originally aired on The History Channel in 1999. Another earlier series, simply called "The Century" also produced by ABC, appeared on the ABC network in 1999, and also later appeared on the History Channel. It consists of six two-hour shows with each chronicling two different events based around a common theme.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Beginning: Seeds of Change
• E21914-1919: Shell Shock
• E31920-1929: Boom to Bust
• E41929-1936: Stormy Weather
• E61941-1945: Civilians at War (2 parts)
• E71941-1945: Homefront
• E81946-1952: Best Years
• E91953-1960: Happy Days
• E101960-1964: Poisoned Dreams
• E111965-1970: Unpinned
• E121971-1975: Approaching the Apocalypse
• E131976-1980: Starting Over