Chapter 1 | The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Extras

• 

  What Was the Dred Scott Decision?

  In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, a slave who sought freedom.

  2:00
• 

  Defying the Fugitive Slave Law

  The 1850 Fugitive Slave Law imposed the rule of Slave states onto Free states.

  1:48
• 

  The Book that Made the War

  Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 and changed American opinions on slavery.

  2:04
• 

  Frederick Douglass, Pacifism, and Abolitionism

  Douglass questions the pacifism of white abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison.

  1:34
• 

  The My Lai Massacre: A National Shame

  Learning about My Lai changed American opinions about the Vietnam War.

  3:10
• 

  Merely Following Orders?

  Lt. Calley's 1971 trial upset those who felt he was unfairly blamed for Vietnam mistakes.

  1:20
• 

  When Should a Soldier Say No?

  The 1968 attack of My Lai pushed soldiers and Americans to ask this hard question.

  1:03
• 

  On the Road to Hell

  In the Vietnam War, military leaders failed to give moral guidance to scared US soldiers.

  2:14
• 

  JFK Sneak Peek

  Watch the exclusive 30-minute sneak peek of "JFK," premiering on PBS Nov 11&12 at 9/8c.

  33:45
• 

  Slavery and the Mexican-American War

  The Mexican-American war (1846-1848) changed the slavery debate.

  1:10