Philadelphia: The Great Experiment — Season 1, Episode 12: Promise for a Better City (1944-1964)
Documentary • 30 min • 1 season, 14 episodes
Episode synopsis
Victory in World War II means optimism in the streets of Philadelphia. Outsiders rout a corrupt political machine with promises for a rebuilt downtown, civil rights, and industrial prosperity. Neighborhood kids sing love songs on street corners and television beams their spirited dancing to teenagers nationwide. But the optimism fades as urban renewal destroys historic neighborhoods, workers scramble for dwindling factory jobs, and African-Americans grow impatient with the slow pace of racial justice. Tensions erupt in 1964, setting the stage for a new era of confrontation.
About Philadelphia: The Great Experiment
A 14-part documentary series covering the history of Philadelphia, William Penn's great utopian experiment, from founding to today.