1 00:00:01,937 --> 00:00:03,361 - Every president since george washington 2 00:00:03,455 --> 00:00:06,697 Has had to define what we mean by the words, "we the people" 3 00:00:06,792 --> 00:00:09,700 And "a more perfect union." 4 00:00:09,795 --> 00:00:11,678 In moments of harmony and conflict, 5 00:00:12,798 --> 00:00:15,223 Of growth and severe distress, 6 00:00:15,450 --> 00:00:18,060 In times of triumph and tragedy, 7 00:00:18,287 --> 00:00:21,288 Each of our presidents has had to make a choice 8 00:00:21,306 --> 00:00:23,565 To take us forward or backward, 9 00:00:24,793 --> 00:00:26,884 To unite us or divide us, 10 00:00:28,146 --> 00:00:32,074 To greet the future with open arms or a clenched fist. 11 00:00:32,225 --> 00:00:35,410 The choices they made and how they acted on them 12 00:00:35,637 --> 00:00:38,205 Is the story of the american presidency. 13 00:00:39,474 --> 00:00:41,875 (soft music) 14 00:00:46,256 --> 00:00:49,407 Our constitution lists the basic powers and responsibilities 15 00:00:49,426 --> 00:00:50,667 Of the presidency, 16 00:00:50,819 --> 00:00:53,578 But there's a lot it doesn't say about the job. 17 00:00:53,597 --> 00:00:55,655 Every president, including me, 18 00:00:55,748 --> 00:00:57,682 Has had to figure out some things on his own. 19 00:00:59,419 --> 00:01:01,770 One of the most important is how to be the voice 20 00:01:01,997 --> 00:01:04,514 Of the people and to give purpose and vision 21 00:01:04,608 --> 00:01:05,941 To our national life. 22 00:01:07,352 --> 00:01:09,111 Our best presidents have had the ability 23 00:01:09,338 --> 00:01:12,197 To look around corners and peer into the future 24 00:01:13,859 --> 00:01:16,434 And inspire us to get there through their rhetoric, 25 00:01:16,453 --> 00:01:20,196 Their leadership, or their sheer force of personality. 26 00:01:20,349 --> 00:01:23,107 These presidents have issued a call to action, 27 00:01:23,201 --> 00:01:26,044 Daring us to join them in their vision for a better future. 28 00:01:27,631 --> 00:01:29,873 I'll never forget the feelings that stirred in me 29 00:01:29,967 --> 00:01:32,709 As a 14-year-old when president kennedy challenged us 30 00:01:32,803 --> 00:01:35,953 To ask not what our country could do for us, 31 00:01:36,047 --> 00:01:38,056 But what we could do for our country. 32 00:01:39,459 --> 00:01:40,976 And I'll certainly never forget shaking his hand 33 00:01:41,203 --> 00:01:43,145 Just two years later in the rose garden, 34 00:01:43,372 --> 00:01:45,538 When I was lucky enough to represent arkansas 35 00:01:45,557 --> 00:01:47,131 At boys nation. 36 00:01:47,151 --> 00:01:48,799 I came away from that experience 37 00:01:48,819 --> 00:01:50,968 Really considering a life in public service 38 00:01:50,988 --> 00:01:51,903 For the first time 39 00:01:53,231 --> 00:01:54,990 And with a new appreciation for the ability 40 00:01:55,217 --> 00:01:58,285 Of our elected leaders to unite us in common cause. 41 00:02:00,906 --> 00:02:03,498 (ominous music) 42 00:02:12,901 --> 00:02:15,510 - [yohuru] in 1961, john f. Kennedy really 43 00:02:15,737 --> 00:02:17,971 Is a breath of fresh air on the american landscape. 44 00:02:19,408 --> 00:02:22,425 He's 42 years old. He's a war hero. 45 00:02:22,519 --> 00:02:26,413 He has a beautiful young wife and he represents the hopes 46 00:02:26,506 --> 00:02:28,023 For the future of the united states. 47 00:02:28,250 --> 00:02:31,193 - Now the trumpet summons us again. 48 00:02:32,938 --> 00:02:35,012 - Early 1960s, when president kennedy 49 00:02:35,032 --> 00:02:38,441 Comes into office, it's a really dynamic and tense time 50 00:02:38,535 --> 00:02:41,428 In international relations because it's the cold war 51 00:02:41,521 --> 00:02:43,613 And nobody wants to make it a hot war. 52 00:02:43,765 --> 00:02:47,209 - [announcer] 1961 was a year of international tensions. 53 00:02:47,436 --> 00:02:50,286 - You have the soviet union in control of poland 54 00:02:50,380 --> 00:02:52,214 And various other parts of eastern europe. 55 00:02:53,884 --> 00:02:58,720 There's a new wall dividing berlin and then the bay of pigs. 56 00:02:59,614 --> 00:03:02,557 Kennedy's failed effort that he inherited from eisenhower 57 00:03:02,709 --> 00:03:04,184 To overthrow fidel castro. 58 00:03:05,804 --> 00:03:10,457 So there really is a sense that kennedy needs to show 59 00:03:10,550 --> 00:03:12,192 That there's something he can achieve. 60 00:03:13,962 --> 00:03:16,646 - One of the greatest challenges for kennedy in this moment 61 00:03:16,740 --> 00:03:19,649 Is the battle for space. 62 00:03:19,801 --> 00:03:22,244 (rocket engine revving) 63 00:03:22,395 --> 00:03:24,153 - [man] the russians have successfully launched 64 00:03:24,248 --> 00:03:26,473 The first satellite ever to cirlce the earth. 65 00:03:26,491 --> 00:03:28,324 - During the eisenhower administration, 66 00:03:28,477 --> 00:03:30,660 On October 4th 1957, 67 00:03:30,754 --> 00:03:33,646 The soviet union launched the first satellite, sputnik. 68 00:03:33,740 --> 00:03:35,164 - [announcer] the dawn of a new era. 69 00:03:35,259 --> 00:03:36,424 - Just a month later, 70 00:03:36,651 --> 00:03:38,835 The soviets launch another satellite into space 71 00:03:38,929 --> 00:03:40,679 And it's got a live dog onboard. 72 00:03:42,340 --> 00:03:44,415 - All over the world, people are ooh-ing and ahh-ing 73 00:03:44,509 --> 00:03:46,184 About soviet space prowess. 74 00:03:47,587 --> 00:03:50,438 - And america seems woefully behind. 75 00:03:50,665 --> 00:03:53,108 Their efforts at space exploration had resulted 76 00:03:53,335 --> 00:03:54,943 In numerous mishaps. 77 00:03:55,170 --> 00:03:56,503 - At cape canaveral, 78 00:03:56,596 --> 00:04:00,598 The navy rockets known as vanguards were disintegrating. 79 00:04:00,692 --> 00:04:02,951 - [kennedy] there is no area where the united states 80 00:04:03,102 --> 00:04:05,361 Received a greater setback 81 00:04:05,514 --> 00:04:08,248 Then our being second in the field of space in the 1950s. 82 00:04:09,609 --> 00:04:12,127 - It was very serious at the time. 83 00:04:12,278 --> 00:04:14,854 Lyndon johnson said the romans ruled the world 84 00:04:14,947 --> 00:04:16,706 Because they controlled the roads. 85 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,026 The british ruled the world because they controlled the sea. 86 00:04:20,119 --> 00:04:23,930 And whoever controls space will rule the world. 87 00:04:27,369 --> 00:04:29,477 - By the time kennedy becomes president, 88 00:04:29,704 --> 00:04:31,871 The space race is really shaping up to be 89 00:04:31,964 --> 00:04:34,482 Like a giant interstellar chess match 90 00:04:34,709 --> 00:04:37,777 Between the soviet union and the united states. 91 00:04:48,665 --> 00:04:52,559 On April 12th, 1961, the soviets launched the first person 92 00:04:52,652 --> 00:04:55,395 Into outer space with yuri gagarin 93 00:04:55,488 --> 00:04:57,172 Who makes a full orbit of the earth. 94 00:04:58,675 --> 00:05:00,233 Just a couple of weeks later, 95 00:05:00,326 --> 00:05:02,344 The us tests it's mercury atlas rocket, 96 00:05:03,755 --> 00:05:06,139 But it blows up 43 seconds after liftoff. 97 00:05:08,410 --> 00:05:10,000 And then in August, 98 00:05:10,095 --> 00:05:12,412 Soviet astronaut, gherman titov 99 00:05:12,505 --> 00:05:14,314 Makes 17 orbits around the earth, 100 00:05:19,011 --> 00:05:21,654 Stays in space for more than 25 hours. 101 00:05:26,261 --> 00:05:28,761 - Kennedy's got this public relations disaster 102 00:05:28,855 --> 00:05:31,097 Really on his hands, so what are we gonna do? 103 00:05:31,116 --> 00:05:33,541 We need to find something we can beat the russians in. 104 00:05:35,270 --> 00:05:36,953 - [kennedy] this nation should commit itself 105 00:05:37,047 --> 00:05:38,771 To achieving the goal 106 00:05:38,790 --> 00:05:42,442 Before this decade is out of landing a man on the moon 107 00:05:42,460 --> 00:05:45,128 And returning him safely to the earth. 108 00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:47,130 - There are those who are incredibly excited 109 00:05:47,282 --> 00:05:49,298 About the exploration of this new frontier. 110 00:05:49,451 --> 00:05:52,952 At the same time, there are others who are deeply concerned 111 00:05:52,971 --> 00:05:57,232 About how much money is being spent on the space race. 112 00:05:57,459 --> 00:05:59,642 - The amount of money that kennedy was asking for 113 00:05:59,736 --> 00:06:02,812 Was phenomenal at the time for a government project. 114 00:06:02,906 --> 00:06:04,464 The manhattan project, 115 00:06:04,557 --> 00:06:06,741 The biggest, most expensive science and engineering project 116 00:06:06,968 --> 00:06:08,968 That had been done up to that point was close, 117 00:06:08,987 --> 00:06:11,320 But it's still less than the $25 billion 118 00:06:11,473 --> 00:06:13,806 It was gonna take to get america to the moon 119 00:06:13,825 --> 00:06:16,066 In 1960s dollars. 120 00:06:16,086 --> 00:06:19,570 - So kennedy has the unenviable task of somehow trying 121 00:06:19,664 --> 00:06:23,833 To inspire the american people to move aggressively 122 00:06:23,985 --> 00:06:27,244 On this space initiative. 123 00:06:27,338 --> 00:06:29,989 And he's able to do that in a speech that he delivers 124 00:06:30,008 --> 00:06:33,435 At rice university in September of 1962. 125 00:06:33,662 --> 00:06:36,829 - This generation does not intend 126 00:06:36,923 --> 00:06:39,423 To flounder in the backwash 127 00:06:39,517 --> 00:06:40,833 Of the coming age of space. 128 00:06:40,852 --> 00:06:44,612 We mean to be a part of it, we mean to lead it. 129 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:48,450 - Kennedy's real challenge in the moon race 130 00:06:48,677 --> 00:06:51,936 Was sticking to this idea that this ultimately 131 00:06:51,955 --> 00:06:56,124 Was a worthy measure of american ingenuity. 132 00:06:56,351 --> 00:07:00,295 - The eyes of the world now look into space, 133 00:07:00,522 --> 00:07:04,040 To the moon, and to the planets beyond. 134 00:07:04,192 --> 00:07:08,887 And we have vowed that we shall not see it governed 135 00:07:09,806 --> 00:07:12,289 By a hostile flag of conquest, 136 00:07:12,383 --> 00:07:15,885 But by a banner of freedom and peace. 137 00:07:15,979 --> 00:07:18,221 - And it's a beautiful and hopeful message 138 00:07:18,315 --> 00:07:22,391 About the tremendous opportunity before americans. 139 00:07:22,486 --> 00:07:27,137 - That goal will serve to organize and measure the best 140 00:07:27,232 --> 00:07:29,306 Of our energies and skills, 141 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:33,161 Because that challenge is one that we're willing to accept, 142 00:07:33,388 --> 00:07:35,997 One we are unwilling to postpone, 143 00:07:36,224 --> 00:07:38,625 And one we intend to win and the others too. 144 00:07:41,671 --> 00:07:44,154 - The way that john f. Kennedy frames this, 145 00:07:44,174 --> 00:07:47,583 Is that if the united states can put a man on the moon, 146 00:07:47,677 --> 00:07:49,135 Then we can do anything, 147 00:07:50,180 --> 00:07:51,996 Then we can solve inequality, 148 00:07:52,090 --> 00:07:54,516 That we can solve economic disparity. 149 00:07:56,244 --> 00:07:59,687 And so this idea of space is intimately connected 150 00:07:59,914 --> 00:08:02,932 To this idea of the united states being innovative, 151 00:08:03,026 --> 00:08:06,176 Being first-world super power. 152 00:08:06,196 --> 00:08:09,346 - We choose to go to the moon. 153 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,682 We choose to go to the moon. 154 00:08:11,701 --> 00:08:14,110 We choose to go to the moon in this decade 155 00:08:14,262 --> 00:08:15,595 And do the other thing, 156 00:08:15,613 --> 00:08:18,790 Not because they are easy, but because they are hard. 157 00:08:26,699 --> 00:08:31,110 - Unfortunately john kennedy is assassinated in 1963, 158 00:08:31,129 --> 00:08:35,782 So he'll never see the culmination of his bold vision 159 00:08:35,875 --> 00:08:36,849 To land a man on the moon. 160 00:08:39,563 --> 00:08:42,855 But ultimately his vision helped to shape decades to come. 161 00:08:46,477 --> 00:08:50,721 - The apollo launching in July of 1969, 162 00:08:50,815 --> 00:08:52,799 It's basically almost six years 163 00:08:52,817 --> 00:08:55,076 Since john f kennedy's assassination, 164 00:08:56,746 --> 00:09:00,582 But it's linked to jfk indelibly because he called for it, 165 00:09:01,918 --> 00:09:03,710 And he gave the most eloquent words for it. 166 00:09:05,738 --> 00:09:06,737 - [kennedy] even though I realized 167 00:09:06,756 --> 00:09:08,590 That this is in some measure, 168 00:09:08,741 --> 00:09:11,484 An act of faith and vision 169 00:09:11,577 --> 00:09:14,762 For we do not now know what benefits await us. 170 00:09:16,766 --> 00:09:19,492 But if I were to say, my fellow citizens, 171 00:09:19,585 --> 00:09:23,938 That we shall send to the moon, a giant rocket, 172 00:09:24,165 --> 00:09:29,093 More than 300 feet tall made of new metal alloys, 173 00:09:29,671 --> 00:09:31,362 Some of which have not yet been invented, 174 00:09:32,282 --> 00:09:34,023 Fitted together with a precision 175 00:09:34,117 --> 00:09:35,450 Better than the finest watch, 176 00:09:36,936 --> 00:09:40,622 And do all this and do it right and do it first, 177 00:09:40,849 --> 00:09:44,942 Before this decade is out, then we must be bold. 178 00:09:44,961 --> 00:09:49,797 (rocket engine roaring) (triumphant music) 179 00:10:02,053 --> 00:10:06,296 - Soaring through the vastness, blackness, the cold of space 180 00:10:06,316 --> 00:10:08,724 Will carry the pledge made eight years ago 181 00:10:08,877 --> 00:10:12,545 By president kennedy, put a man on the moon, 182 00:10:12,638 --> 00:10:14,781 Bring him back safely in this decade. 183 00:10:16,993 --> 00:10:19,619 (triumphant music) 184 00:10:27,153 --> 00:10:30,505 - By establishing this idea of the new frontier, 185 00:10:30,656 --> 00:10:35,568 And by establishing that space is part of this vision 186 00:10:35,586 --> 00:10:39,255 That he has of the nation of america, of citizenship, 187 00:10:39,349 --> 00:10:41,331 Of democracy, 188 00:10:41,351 --> 00:10:45,520 It becomes inextricably linked with kennedy's identity 189 00:10:45,671 --> 00:10:46,979 And who he is. 190 00:10:48,433 --> 00:10:51,918 - What we celebrate in john f. Kennedy is the vision, 191 00:10:51,936 --> 00:10:54,770 The boldness to articulate something 192 00:10:54,923 --> 00:10:58,182 That allowed americans to think about challenging themselves 193 00:10:58,201 --> 00:11:00,952 Beyond what they were in aspiring to what they could be. 194 00:11:05,934 --> 00:11:08,284 - [clinton] to get us to the moon in the 1960s, 195 00:11:08,436 --> 00:11:10,861 President kennedy boldly asked us to look upward, 196 00:11:10,955 --> 00:11:12,605 To reach for the stars, 197 00:11:12,698 --> 00:11:15,174 To imagine that our future belonged among them. 198 00:11:16,627 --> 00:11:18,945 But in the 1860s, 199 00:11:19,038 --> 00:11:21,205 With the civil war raging, 200 00:11:21,299 --> 00:11:25,968 President abraham lincoln asked us not to look up, but back, 201 00:11:26,062 --> 00:11:29,564 Back to our founding vision of liberty and justice for all. 202 00:11:31,142 --> 00:11:33,626 After the horrors of the battle of gettysburg, 203 00:11:33,644 --> 00:11:37,071 Lincoln must persuade a war weary public 204 00:11:37,223 --> 00:11:39,407 To continue fighting for that vision. 205 00:11:49,902 --> 00:11:56,649 - The gettysburg campaign was the bloodiest in the war. 206 00:11:56,742 --> 00:11:59,668 I think the single day for casualties, 207 00:11:59,821 --> 00:12:01,888 There were over 50,000. 208 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:09,829 - Lincoln sees the civil war, possibly, as divine judgment 209 00:12:09,922 --> 00:12:13,516 On the country for the evil of slavery. 210 00:12:13,610 --> 00:12:16,852 He says that, that it may be the will of god, 211 00:12:17,005 --> 00:12:20,097 That every drop of blood has to be shed, 212 00:12:20,191 --> 00:12:23,785 To pay for every drop of blood that was shed by the whip. 213 00:12:26,681 --> 00:12:29,791 - The battle of gettysburg show northerners 214 00:12:29,942 --> 00:12:31,942 That defeating the south was going 215 00:12:32,036 --> 00:12:33,461 To be a long bloody enterprise. 216 00:12:35,799 --> 00:12:37,540 (upbeat string music) 217 00:12:37,692 --> 00:12:38,966 - At the same time, 218 00:12:39,118 --> 00:12:42,303 Photo journalists like alexander gardner and matthew brady 219 00:12:42,530 --> 00:12:45,122 Using the emerging technology of photography, 220 00:12:45,141 --> 00:12:47,124 Have brought the horrors of war home 221 00:12:47,218 --> 00:12:50,369 To americans in a way that they've never before seen. 222 00:12:50,462 --> 00:12:52,872 - They were portrait photographers. 223 00:12:52,890 --> 00:12:55,558 And when the war came along, 224 00:12:55,652 --> 00:12:58,561 They packed up vast amounts of camera gear 225 00:12:58,655 --> 00:12:59,487 And headed to the front. 226 00:13:02,216 --> 00:13:04,325 And you have to understand the exposures, 227 00:13:04,552 --> 00:13:06,661 It had to be three or four or five seconds, 228 00:13:06,888 --> 00:13:09,497 So there were no action shots from the civil war. 229 00:13:09,724 --> 00:13:13,960 Mainly bodies laying in trenches or on the battlefield. 230 00:13:15,396 --> 00:13:17,296 The aftermath is what they photographed. 231 00:13:21,252 --> 00:13:22,844 That was a real revelation. 232 00:13:24,088 --> 00:13:26,013 People were horrified by the images. 233 00:13:27,758 --> 00:13:31,927 - There was a faction of the nation that looked at the death 234 00:13:32,021 --> 00:13:36,582 And destruction and said, this is why we need to stop this. 235 00:13:36,675 --> 00:13:39,193 It was time to just compromise with the south. 236 00:13:41,589 --> 00:13:42,922 - So at this point, 237 00:13:43,015 --> 00:13:46,016 Public support for the war is definitely questionable. 238 00:13:46,110 --> 00:13:49,445 Americans are starting to see the magnitude of the sacrifice 239 00:13:49,539 --> 00:13:51,372 That they're being asked to bear 240 00:13:51,599 --> 00:13:54,266 And not everyone is willing to do that. 241 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:55,451 - And the president is weighed down, 242 00:13:55,603 --> 00:13:58,379 Not only by the enormous numbers of war dead, 243 00:13:58,530 --> 00:14:01,198 But how to continue to inspire the american people, 244 00:14:01,217 --> 00:14:03,609 Particularly the army and soldiers 245 00:14:03,628 --> 00:14:06,220 To continue to support the union cause. 246 00:14:08,449 --> 00:14:11,541 - At the same time, a new national cemetery 247 00:14:11,561 --> 00:14:15,471 Was being opened in gettysburg 248 00:14:15,565 --> 00:14:19,901 And there was going to be a dedication in November of '63. 249 00:14:20,128 --> 00:14:22,570 - Lincoln has been asked to speak at the dedication 250 00:14:22,721 --> 00:14:25,740 And he needs to give america a reason to pursue 251 00:14:25,891 --> 00:14:27,224 This bloody war. 252 00:14:27,318 --> 00:14:29,243 This war that has cost so much. 253 00:14:30,914 --> 00:14:35,583 - Lincoln was a questing questioning, thoughtful man. 254 00:14:37,403 --> 00:14:41,981 As the war unfolds, he's thinking more and more, 255 00:14:42,074 --> 00:14:46,152 Not simply about how, but why, 256 00:14:46,245 --> 00:14:48,654 And gettysburg was about why, 257 00:14:48,747 --> 00:14:52,433 Why are 750,000 people having to die? 258 00:14:55,605 --> 00:14:56,845 - But in that moment, 259 00:14:56,940 --> 00:14:59,273 In the months leading up to the gettysburg address, 260 00:14:59,425 --> 00:15:00,566 He's struggling with that. 261 00:15:02,946 --> 00:15:06,188 And so he draws inspiration from a variety of sources, 262 00:15:06,282 --> 00:15:09,909 The founders, the works of antiquity, the bible. 263 00:15:12,271 --> 00:15:16,182 - Abraham lincoln mastered the english language 264 00:15:16,275 --> 00:15:19,018 As no other president has. 265 00:15:19,036 --> 00:15:21,036 And what's so extraordinary is lincoln 266 00:15:21,130 --> 00:15:22,946 Had almost no schooling, 267 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:29,637 But he used words in simple, concise ways to move people 268 00:15:29,788 --> 00:15:31,138 As almost no one else has. 269 00:15:35,478 --> 00:15:40,130 - On November 19th, 1863, lincoln arrived in gettysburg 270 00:15:40,224 --> 00:15:43,609 Where the graveyard was created on still not fully finished. 271 00:15:45,563 --> 00:15:48,714 - We have to imagine masses of people gathered there, 272 00:15:48,807 --> 00:15:51,217 Lincoln gets up, he's got 272 words. 273 00:15:51,235 --> 00:15:52,994 It takes only a few minutes. 274 00:15:54,238 --> 00:15:56,905 And yet in those 272 words, 275 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:00,334 He redefines the civil war and he redefines america. 276 00:16:02,079 --> 00:16:05,581 - Four score and seven years ago, 277 00:16:05,675 --> 00:16:08,083 Our fathers brought forth on this continent, 278 00:16:08,236 --> 00:16:11,661 A new nation conceived in liberty 279 00:16:11,681 --> 00:16:13,663 And dedicated to the proposition 280 00:16:13,758 --> 00:16:16,759 That all men are created equal. 281 00:16:16,911 --> 00:16:21,522 - What he saw as america's future was a place 282 00:16:21,749 --> 00:16:24,600 Where there was equality of opportunity 283 00:16:24,694 --> 00:16:28,254 As espoused in the declaration of independence. 284 00:16:28,347 --> 00:16:30,865 That was his vision for america. 285 00:16:32,518 --> 00:16:34,260 - From these honored dead, 286 00:16:34,353 --> 00:16:37,187 We take increased devotion to that cause 287 00:16:37,206 --> 00:16:41,600 For which they gave the last full measure of devotion 288 00:16:41,619 --> 00:16:45,195 That we here highly resolve that these dead 289 00:16:45,289 --> 00:16:47,715 Shall not have died in vain, 290 00:16:47,942 --> 00:16:52,053 That this nation under god shall have a new birth 291 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:53,445 Of freedom, 292 00:16:53,464 --> 00:16:57,058 And that government of the people by the people 293 00:16:57,285 --> 00:17:00,686 For the people shall not perish from the earth. 294 00:17:02,456 --> 00:17:05,791 - The real-time reviews of gettysburg were mixed. 295 00:17:05,884 --> 00:17:08,718 Lincoln worried that he hadn't really done much, 296 00:17:08,738 --> 00:17:09,570 Accomplished much. 297 00:17:10,815 --> 00:17:13,649 - But the power of the speech was that, 298 00:17:13,743 --> 00:17:15,076 Because it was brief, 299 00:17:15,227 --> 00:17:18,804 It was reprinted in its entirety in most newspapers 300 00:17:18,823 --> 00:17:20,414 And almost immediately as a pamphlet 301 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:24,234 And it bolstered morale in the north, 302 00:17:24,253 --> 00:17:28,089 It made it clear to people what the war was about, 303 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:31,258 And it also made him appear to be more of a leader 304 00:17:31,485 --> 00:17:32,093 In control. 305 00:17:34,079 --> 00:17:36,004 - What no one could have imagined in that moment 306 00:17:36,157 --> 00:17:38,415 Is how significant this speech would become 307 00:17:38,509 --> 00:17:41,176 In the aftermath of gettysburg. 308 00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:45,272 This line of demarcation at 1863 really represents 309 00:17:45,424 --> 00:17:48,500 The old america that's left behind 310 00:17:48,594 --> 00:17:50,669 By virtue of the civil war 311 00:17:50,762 --> 00:17:53,930 And this rededication to the principles of liberty 312 00:17:53,950 --> 00:17:56,099 And justice that lincoln articulates 313 00:17:56,193 --> 00:17:57,284 At the gettysburg address 314 00:17:57,436 --> 00:18:01,196 Become the foundation for the new america, 315 00:18:01,290 --> 00:18:03,515 The america that will witness the passage 316 00:18:03,609 --> 00:18:06,109 Of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment, 317 00:18:06,203 --> 00:18:08,354 The america that will witness in 1920, 318 00:18:08,447 --> 00:18:10,464 The passage of the 19th amendment, 319 00:18:10,691 --> 00:18:13,617 The america of the civil rights act of 1964 320 00:18:13,636 --> 00:18:15,469 And the voting rights act of 1965, 321 00:18:15,621 --> 00:18:18,764 The america of lincoln's vision of hope and promise. 322 00:18:24,221 --> 00:18:26,722 - Kennedy looked at the heavens and saw possibility. 323 00:18:27,132 --> 00:18:28,965 Lincoln looked at a divided nation 324 00:18:29,059 --> 00:18:30,776 And saw the promise of freedom. 325 00:18:32,471 --> 00:18:35,305 Theodore roosevelt looked at the natural wonders of america 326 00:18:35,399 --> 00:18:37,641 And saw a sacred trust. 327 00:18:37,735 --> 00:18:39,385 For our 26th president, 328 00:18:39,403 --> 00:18:42,721 The beauty of america's vast unspoiled landscape 329 00:18:42,740 --> 00:18:46,667 Formed an essential part of our national identity. 330 00:18:46,818 --> 00:18:49,745 His passion for conservation helped change the very idea 331 00:18:49,839 --> 00:18:53,007 Of america from a collection of rugged individuals, 332 00:18:53,158 --> 00:18:56,735 To a people united by a shared responsibility 333 00:18:56,754 --> 00:19:00,497 To preserve the gift of america's natural heritage. 334 00:19:00,591 --> 00:19:02,408 Like lincoln and kennedy, 335 00:19:02,501 --> 00:19:05,669 His vision of what america could be 336 00:19:05,688 --> 00:19:07,980 Stretched far beyond the moment. 337 00:19:18,092 --> 00:19:21,518 - Teddy roosevelt was one of the most powerful personalities 338 00:19:21,537 --> 00:19:24,038 We've ever had in the american presidency, 339 00:19:26,542 --> 00:19:29,618 But his childhood was pretty difficult, 340 00:19:29,712 --> 00:19:34,506 He was sick very often and that childhood sickness 341 00:19:35,885 --> 00:19:38,677 Really drove a lot of what came next. 342 00:19:40,556 --> 00:19:44,708 He built himself up as this kind of grand, physical specimen 343 00:19:44,727 --> 00:19:47,895 Who liked boxing and hunting and adventuring. 344 00:19:50,458 --> 00:19:55,961 - In 1884, he goes out to the badlands to become a rancher. 345 00:19:55,980 --> 00:19:59,389 And it's in nature in that harsh environment 346 00:19:59,408 --> 00:20:04,203 That he becomes the strong, dynamic figure that he is, 347 00:20:05,063 --> 00:20:06,080 In his later life. 348 00:20:06,307 --> 00:20:08,398 - Theodore roosevelt believed that you had 349 00:20:08,492 --> 00:20:11,326 An outdoor bill of rights 350 00:20:11,420 --> 00:20:13,921 And that that's what made the united states special, 351 00:20:15,741 --> 00:20:17,983 That you might live in new york city or philadelphia 352 00:20:18,002 --> 00:20:19,167 Or denver, 353 00:20:19,262 --> 00:20:21,911 But at any time you could get lost in the wild, 354 00:20:21,931 --> 00:20:25,557 And go fishing, hunting, camping, sleep under the stars. 355 00:20:27,328 --> 00:20:30,662 - So in 1903, roosevelt went on what is known as, 356 00:20:30,756 --> 00:20:32,922 The first whistle stop campaign. 357 00:20:32,942 --> 00:20:34,441 He was campaigning for reelection. 358 00:20:36,445 --> 00:20:39,688 And the climax of the trip was in yosemite 359 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,782 Where he met john muir. 360 00:20:41,933 --> 00:20:45,435 - John muir was one of the most famous naturalists 361 00:20:45,454 --> 00:20:50,182 In the country in the late 19th and early 20th century. 362 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:54,277 - Roosevelt had written to muir and asked him 363 00:20:54,297 --> 00:20:57,539 To travel alone with him into yosemite, 364 00:20:57,691 --> 00:20:59,258 Which was muir's beloved landscape. 365 00:21:01,211 --> 00:21:04,471 So muir and roosevelt went into the sequoia woods 366 00:21:06,033 --> 00:21:08,434 Where he marveled at the cathedral like trees. 367 00:21:10,462 --> 00:21:13,463 - He felt that america's natural wonders 368 00:21:13,557 --> 00:21:17,042 Are sort of the counterparts of the cathedrals of europe. 369 00:21:17,061 --> 00:21:21,046 They're a sacred space where people become closer 370 00:21:21,065 --> 00:21:25,492 To the spirit of america and the sense of america 371 00:21:25,644 --> 00:21:27,828 As a shared identity. 372 00:21:27,979 --> 00:21:29,738 - From that point on, 373 00:21:29,832 --> 00:21:32,908 Roosevelt started to think in more religious terms 374 00:21:33,002 --> 00:21:34,126 About wilderness. 375 00:21:35,338 --> 00:21:37,171 Roosevelt later wrote, 376 00:21:37,398 --> 00:21:40,657 "it was like lying in a great solemn cathedral, 377 00:21:40,676 --> 00:21:42,751 Far vaster and more beautiful 378 00:21:42,903 --> 00:21:44,970 Than any built by the hand of man." 379 00:21:46,740 --> 00:21:49,408 - And it was on this trip that roosevelt and muir 380 00:21:49,426 --> 00:21:52,335 Really talked about how they were gonna preserve 381 00:21:52,355 --> 00:21:53,645 Our natural resources. 382 00:21:55,082 --> 00:21:57,766 - There's a lot of anxiety at this moment 383 00:21:57,860 --> 00:22:00,936 About what industrial capitalism is starting to do 384 00:22:01,030 --> 00:22:01,862 To the landscape. 385 00:22:03,682 --> 00:22:05,181 What pollution is beginning to do 386 00:22:05,201 --> 00:22:07,517 To the rivers, to the mountains. 387 00:22:07,536 --> 00:22:10,204 - You have technology and railroads 388 00:22:10,355 --> 00:22:12,373 And all of these innovations that are happening 389 00:22:12,524 --> 00:22:14,766 At a breakneck pace. 390 00:22:14,785 --> 00:22:18,437 And so we have this tension between industrialization 391 00:22:18,455 --> 00:22:22,274 And the desire to protect these places 392 00:22:22,367 --> 00:22:25,961 That are seen as pristine and wild, 393 00:22:26,113 --> 00:22:28,514 Because what is going to stop the devastation? 394 00:22:32,136 --> 00:22:34,228 - Though past presidents had created parks, 395 00:22:35,564 --> 00:22:38,023 What roosevelt did was a radical departure. 396 00:22:40,294 --> 00:22:42,978 The grand canyon was one of the central fights 397 00:22:43,130 --> 00:22:45,239 Of the roosevelt presidency. 398 00:22:45,466 --> 00:22:48,316 The great fear of roosevelt in his people 399 00:22:48,469 --> 00:22:51,637 Was that it would become another niagara falls. 400 00:22:51,655 --> 00:22:54,581 Niagara falls proved to them 401 00:22:54,808 --> 00:22:57,309 What happened when commercialism took over 402 00:22:57,327 --> 00:22:59,545 And they saw that happening to the grand canyon. 403 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:03,331 As roosevelt said, 404 00:23:03,426 --> 00:23:05,834 When he stood on the edge of the grand canyon, 405 00:23:05,986 --> 00:23:08,095 "I hope you will not have a building of any kind, 406 00:23:08,246 --> 00:23:11,432 Not a summer cottage, a hotel or anything else 407 00:23:11,659 --> 00:23:14,676 To mar the wonderful granduer, the sublimity, 408 00:23:14,828 --> 00:23:17,663 The great loneliness and beauty of the canyon. 409 00:23:17,681 --> 00:23:21,591 Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. 410 00:23:21,685 --> 00:23:25,571 The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it." 411 00:23:27,524 --> 00:23:30,433 - Theodore roosevelt's, leave it as it is speech 412 00:23:30,453 --> 00:23:34,012 At the grand canyon is almost like lincoln's gettysburg 413 00:23:34,031 --> 00:23:37,199 Address in terms of changing the idea 414 00:23:37,351 --> 00:23:40,368 Of america from a fundamentally 415 00:23:40,463 --> 00:23:44,614 Sort of individualist everyone's out for himself ethos, 416 00:23:44,633 --> 00:23:47,192 To a much more collective attitude 417 00:23:47,211 --> 00:23:49,619 Where we have a shared responsibility 418 00:23:49,638 --> 00:23:50,879 To make things better 419 00:23:50,973 --> 00:23:53,098 For other people, including future generations. 420 00:23:55,144 --> 00:23:58,795 - But there was a real reluctance on congress's part 421 00:23:58,814 --> 00:24:01,482 To go along with roosevelt's vision. 422 00:24:01,633 --> 00:24:04,226 They'd watched him, essentially in their eyes, gone wild 423 00:24:04,378 --> 00:24:06,061 For scenery. 424 00:24:06,213 --> 00:24:08,989 And joseph cannon, who was the speaker of the house 425 00:24:09,140 --> 00:24:11,550 For most of roosevelt's presidency said, 426 00:24:11,568 --> 00:24:14,219 "not one cent for scenery." 427 00:24:14,238 --> 00:24:17,739 So they dragged their feet on the grand canyon 428 00:24:17,891 --> 00:24:20,834 And decided not to make it a national park. 429 00:24:21,061 --> 00:24:23,245 And roosevelt became increasingly frustrated, 430 00:24:23,397 --> 00:24:25,130 Angrier and angrier about this, 431 00:24:26,750 --> 00:24:29,401 Which is what led him to finally declare 432 00:24:29,419 --> 00:24:31,345 The grand canyon a national monument. 433 00:24:33,073 --> 00:24:36,908 National monuments, as opposed to national parks, 434 00:24:37,002 --> 00:24:38,852 Don't have to go through congress. 435 00:24:39,079 --> 00:24:41,021 They can be saved solely by the president 436 00:24:42,750 --> 00:24:45,192 And that blindsided congress, they were furious. 437 00:24:46,754 --> 00:24:48,344 - Theodore roosevelt was not shy 438 00:24:48,364 --> 00:24:50,922 About using his presidential powers, 439 00:24:50,941 --> 00:24:54,109 Especially when he thought that they were in a good 440 00:24:54,261 --> 00:24:57,929 And noble cause, as he saw his own conservation efforts. 441 00:24:57,948 --> 00:25:01,166 And so he really used them on a grand scale. 442 00:25:03,287 --> 00:25:05,028 - And the grand canyon eventually becomes 443 00:25:05,047 --> 00:25:09,216 A national park as we know it today. 444 00:25:09,367 --> 00:25:14,279 - And if he hadn't done it, we would be looking at condos, 445 00:25:14,298 --> 00:25:15,347 Not wilderness. 446 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:22,045 - All told, theodore roosevelt saved 234 million acres 447 00:25:22,064 --> 00:25:26,549 Of wild america in forms of national forests and parks 448 00:25:26,643 --> 00:25:28,735 And wildlife sanctuaries. 449 00:25:28,962 --> 00:25:31,129 - But he didn't just save that land, 450 00:25:31,148 --> 00:25:34,908 He started a precedent of presidents saving land. 451 00:25:37,304 --> 00:25:38,561 Roosevelt would say, 452 00:25:38,581 --> 00:25:41,230 There are parts of our world that we have to leave 453 00:25:41,250 --> 00:25:43,900 As they are, beyond the human. 454 00:25:43,919 --> 00:25:46,920 And to me, that's the most exciting and inspiring part 455 00:25:47,072 --> 00:25:47,713 Of his vision. 456 00:25:52,428 --> 00:25:53,835 - President theodore roosevelt 457 00:25:53,929 --> 00:25:56,504 Wanted to preserve america's natural wonders. 458 00:25:56,599 --> 00:25:59,157 President franklin roosevelt needs to preserve 459 00:25:59,250 --> 00:26:01,493 What's left of america's economy 460 00:26:01,511 --> 00:26:03,270 Before it disappears completely 461 00:26:03,421 --> 00:26:05,272 In the ravages of the great depression. 462 00:26:07,017 --> 00:26:10,669 Like tr, fdr has great faith in the power of government 463 00:26:10,687 --> 00:26:12,946 To act as a force for good, 464 00:26:13,098 --> 00:26:16,858 To better the lives of this generation and the next. 465 00:26:17,010 --> 00:26:19,527 But after enduring years of misery, 466 00:26:19,622 --> 00:26:22,623 Will the people share his vision and his faith? 467 00:26:27,963 --> 00:26:29,963 - [announcer] he was a young state senator, 468 00:26:30,190 --> 00:26:31,965 Then assistant secretary of the navy. 469 00:26:33,527 --> 00:26:35,360 - So the thing about franklin roosevelt, 470 00:26:35,453 --> 00:26:37,471 Is he's a quintessential rich kid. 471 00:26:39,624 --> 00:26:43,810 He is a somewhat distant cousin of teddy roosevelt 472 00:26:45,463 --> 00:26:47,814 And he's good looking, 473 00:26:47,966 --> 00:26:49,983 The world is his oyster. 474 00:26:52,045 --> 00:26:52,986 - [announcer] next, we see him swimming 475 00:26:53,213 --> 00:26:55,714 With small infantile paralysis patients. 476 00:26:55,732 --> 00:26:57,658 He himself stricken by that malady. 477 00:26:59,328 --> 00:27:01,310 - But his experience with disability 478 00:27:01,405 --> 00:27:03,238 Informs his perspective 479 00:27:03,332 --> 00:27:06,482 On what the federal government has a responsibility 480 00:27:06,502 --> 00:27:10,003 To do for its citizens, when those citizens are suffering. 481 00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:16,418 - I think roosevelt's vision was that government exists 482 00:27:16,570 --> 00:27:18,586 For the benefit of the people. 483 00:27:18,739 --> 00:27:22,073 He promised the new deal for the american people. 484 00:27:22,092 --> 00:27:25,427 He talked about the need to put government to work 485 00:27:25,521 --> 00:27:26,478 For the people. 486 00:27:27,915 --> 00:27:30,357 - He sees himself as a healer for the country 487 00:27:31,585 --> 00:27:32,859 And a healer for the world. 488 00:27:34,345 --> 00:27:36,846 It's a time of terrible economic difficulties, 489 00:27:36,865 --> 00:27:38,773 The great depression. 490 00:27:38,926 --> 00:27:42,202 - The worst year of the great depression is 1932. 491 00:27:43,872 --> 00:27:46,873 We've got mass unemployment, people starving to death. 492 00:27:48,435 --> 00:27:51,286 - And in the weeks before the inauguration, 493 00:27:51,380 --> 00:27:54,047 And there's a new crisis, the banking crisis. 494 00:27:56,051 --> 00:27:58,367 Bank after bank closed its doors 495 00:27:58,387 --> 00:28:01,221 Because it had insufficient funds. 496 00:28:01,448 --> 00:28:03,873 People desperately ran to the banks, 497 00:28:03,892 --> 00:28:07,227 Called bank runs to try to pull out their savings, 498 00:28:07,454 --> 00:28:10,546 Which only made the problem worse. 499 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:13,308 - All of the depositors are trying to get their money back. 500 00:28:13,402 --> 00:28:15,627 The bank of course has lent out a lot of that money, 501 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:17,386 So it doesn't have all the money, 502 00:28:17,481 --> 00:28:19,406 And the banks fail. 503 00:28:21,076 --> 00:28:24,911 - People who deposited money in banks, lose everything. 504 00:28:26,915 --> 00:28:31,251 - Finally, by the morning of March 4th, 1933 505 00:28:31,402 --> 00:28:32,586 Inauguration morning, 506 00:28:32,737 --> 00:28:35,647 Three quarters of the banks in the united states 507 00:28:35,665 --> 00:28:37,591 Were closed. 508 00:28:37,742 --> 00:28:40,427 - It's not like anything that we've experienced before. 509 00:28:41,822 --> 00:28:44,172 It seems like the wheels have come off 510 00:28:44,266 --> 00:28:46,992 And we're still going over a cliff, you know, 511 00:28:47,010 --> 00:28:48,935 With no wheels and no wings. 512 00:28:51,181 --> 00:28:53,422 - And so roosevelt comes into office. 513 00:28:53,442 --> 00:28:54,775 And the first thing he does, well, first thing he says is- 514 00:28:54,926 --> 00:28:57,444 - [roosevelt] the only thing we have to fear is, 515 00:28:59,172 --> 00:28:59,780 Fear itself. 516 00:29:01,675 --> 00:29:03,116 - He's trying to restore confidence 517 00:29:04,453 --> 00:29:06,953 Because the country is in a panic. 518 00:29:08,773 --> 00:29:13,960 There's a widespread fear that the failures of the market 519 00:29:14,187 --> 00:29:16,129 Are going to lead to the end of capitalism. 520 00:29:17,541 --> 00:29:19,374 - So on March 6th, 521 00:29:19,526 --> 00:29:22,302 He announced what he called a banking holiday. 522 00:29:22,453 --> 00:29:25,305 - For four days, all banking transactions are suspended. 523 00:29:26,791 --> 00:29:28,049 - During that four days, 524 00:29:28,201 --> 00:29:32,220 Economists worked furiously to come up with a plan 525 00:29:32,372 --> 00:29:33,980 To reopen the banks. 526 00:29:35,709 --> 00:29:39,653 - By Thursday, congress passes the emergency banking act. 527 00:29:39,804 --> 00:29:41,729 It basically takes the weakest banks 528 00:29:41,882 --> 00:29:43,824 And folds them into the stronger banks. 529 00:29:43,975 --> 00:29:46,493 It provides federal funds to prop up those stronger banks. 530 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:48,161 It reorganized the banking system. 531 00:29:49,906 --> 00:29:53,149 - The thing is they didn't know if it would work 532 00:29:53,168 --> 00:29:55,168 And they were afraid that it wouldn't work. 533 00:29:56,746 --> 00:29:58,839 There's deep concern that the end of the holiday 534 00:29:58,990 --> 00:29:59,965 Would lead to catastrophe. 535 00:30:01,918 --> 00:30:05,512 And this is a make or break moment for the country, 536 00:30:05,739 --> 00:30:08,406 For the economy for millions of people, 537 00:30:08,425 --> 00:30:11,000 And everybody knows that. 538 00:30:11,019 --> 00:30:14,746 - And so roosevelt decides to speak directly 539 00:30:14,764 --> 00:30:16,523 To the american people. 540 00:30:16,674 --> 00:30:20,694 And what he comes up with is a series of radio addresses 541 00:30:22,422 --> 00:30:24,364 As quote unquote, "fireside chats". 542 00:30:24,591 --> 00:30:26,107 - [announcer] ladies and gentlemen, 543 00:30:26,259 --> 00:30:28,034 The president of the united states. 544 00:30:29,613 --> 00:30:32,855 - [roosevelt] my friends, I wanna talk for a few minutes 545 00:30:32,875 --> 00:30:35,375 With the people of the united states about banking. 546 00:30:37,604 --> 00:30:39,954 - People remember this voice as the voice 547 00:30:40,048 --> 00:30:42,457 Of a favorite uncle or a voice of their grandfather, 548 00:30:42,609 --> 00:30:46,052 Who basically was telling them everything's gonna be okay 549 00:30:46,204 --> 00:30:48,054 As he tucked them into bed at night. 550 00:30:48,281 --> 00:30:50,448 - [roosevelt] I can assure you my friend, 551 00:30:50,467 --> 00:30:54,543 That it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank 552 00:30:54,563 --> 00:30:56,396 Than it is to keep it under the mattress. 553 00:30:58,792 --> 00:31:00,959 - The fireside chat, this was Sunday night. 554 00:31:00,977 --> 00:31:04,070 The next day, when the first of the banks were gonna reopen, 555 00:31:04,222 --> 00:31:06,631 Lines began to form outside the banks, 556 00:31:06,650 --> 00:31:07,815 And a lot of people thought, 557 00:31:07,968 --> 00:31:09,558 Oh no, this is what caused the banking crisis 558 00:31:09,653 --> 00:31:10,726 In the first place. 559 00:31:10,746 --> 00:31:12,037 People going into withdraw their money. 560 00:31:13,398 --> 00:31:15,657 But this time people were putting their money back 561 00:31:15,751 --> 00:31:17,158 Into the banks. 562 00:31:17,310 --> 00:31:21,646 - Americans don't just walk, they run to deposit money. 563 00:31:21,665 --> 00:31:24,999 - And within the month, two thirds of the money 564 00:31:25,093 --> 00:31:27,335 That had been pulled out of the banking system 565 00:31:27,487 --> 00:31:30,263 Had been redeposited and that saves the day. 566 00:31:31,825 --> 00:31:34,935 That is the start of the great depression ending. 567 00:31:36,421 --> 00:31:41,107 - Fear is vanishing and confidence is growing. 568 00:31:41,259 --> 00:31:45,003 - It stops the bleeding and it stabilized the system 569 00:31:45,021 --> 00:31:48,114 Temporarily so that the more ambitious restructuring 570 00:31:48,266 --> 00:31:49,616 Could come in. 571 00:31:49,767 --> 00:31:50,784 - [reporter] we have a new deal, 572 00:31:50,935 --> 00:31:52,026 Their purpose: To fight the depression. 573 00:31:52,179 --> 00:31:55,029 - One of the abiding beliefs of roosevelt 574 00:31:55,182 --> 00:31:58,441 Is that the american people are owed something 575 00:31:58,535 --> 00:31:59,960 By the federal government. 576 00:32:00,111 --> 00:32:02,111 So in times of crisis, 577 00:32:02,130 --> 00:32:04,631 The federal government has a responsibility 578 00:32:04,858 --> 00:32:06,800 To meet the needs of the american people. 579 00:32:08,303 --> 00:32:11,805 - Great presidents invest, often at personal 580 00:32:11,956 --> 00:32:13,974 And political costs, in the moment 581 00:32:15,644 --> 00:32:18,961 So that there is a longterm dividend and benefit. 582 00:32:18,981 --> 00:32:21,982 And the presidents we judge most favorably 583 00:32:22,209 --> 00:32:26,802 Are the ones who govern for 50 years out, 584 00:32:26,822 --> 00:32:28,655 Not necessarily for five days out. 585 00:32:34,738 --> 00:32:35,978 - [clinton] the strong vision is a necessary part of the job 586 00:32:35,998 --> 00:32:37,622 Of being a successful president. 587 00:32:39,075 --> 00:32:41,150 But there are times when even the most audacious 588 00:32:41,244 --> 00:32:43,244 And transformative vision, 589 00:32:43,396 --> 00:32:46,581 An idea that could radically alter the lives of millions, 590 00:32:46,733 --> 00:32:48,008 Fails to take hold. 591 00:32:49,736 --> 00:32:51,236 Through no fault of his own, 592 00:32:51,254 --> 00:32:54,848 That's exactly what president dwight eisenhower experiences 593 00:32:54,999 --> 00:32:57,833 When he tries to rally the world behind his vision 594 00:32:57,927 --> 00:32:59,019 Of nuclear disarmament. 595 00:33:09,256 --> 00:33:11,865 - Dwight eisenhower was the hero of world war ii. 596 00:33:12,092 --> 00:33:14,200 He was the man who planned and orchestrated 597 00:33:14,352 --> 00:33:15,660 The normandy invasion. 598 00:33:17,188 --> 00:33:20,874 He entered politics, not with a strong ideology, 599 00:33:21,025 --> 00:33:23,268 But as someone who knew how to get things done 600 00:33:23,286 --> 00:33:25,170 And manage a complex world. 601 00:33:28,441 --> 00:33:31,276 - When eisenhower comes into office in 1953, 602 00:33:31,294 --> 00:33:33,720 It's a very dangerous time in world affairs. 603 00:33:35,632 --> 00:33:40,134 - Many of the global tensions that people had hoped 604 00:33:40,228 --> 00:33:43,288 Would go away with the end of the second world war 605 00:33:43,306 --> 00:33:45,640 Now seemed to be escalating. 606 00:33:45,792 --> 00:33:48,142 - What's happening in 1953, 607 00:33:48,295 --> 00:33:50,570 Is both the united states and the soviet union 608 00:33:50,721 --> 00:33:53,073 Begin developing thermo nuclear weapons, 609 00:33:53,224 --> 00:33:54,074 The hydrogen bomb. 610 00:33:55,468 --> 00:33:57,485 And it's really a matter of life and death. 611 00:33:57,637 --> 00:34:01,247 That's how eisenhower views the stakes of the cold war. 612 00:34:01,399 --> 00:34:03,750 - Freedom is pitted against slavery, 613 00:34:04,994 --> 00:34:06,878 Lightness against the dark. 614 00:34:08,590 --> 00:34:12,074 - And then suddenly during the first year 615 00:34:12,094 --> 00:34:14,928 Of eisenhower's presidency, stalin died. 616 00:34:16,765 --> 00:34:20,583 Stalin was really seen as a hard liner. 617 00:34:20,602 --> 00:34:23,770 He conducted purges that led to mass death 618 00:34:23,921 --> 00:34:25,605 In the soviet union, 619 00:34:27,091 --> 00:34:31,927 And he was considered a vicious, ideological foe 620 00:34:31,947 --> 00:34:32,779 Of the american project. 621 00:34:34,282 --> 00:34:35,690 - The death of stalin is an amazing moment 622 00:34:35,784 --> 00:34:38,676 Because it's unexpected, and really nobody knows exactly 623 00:34:38,695 --> 00:34:39,786 What to do. 624 00:34:40,013 --> 00:34:41,863 Nobody could imagine a world without stalin, 625 00:34:42,015 --> 00:34:45,107 He'd been in power since the middle of the 1920s. 626 00:34:45,127 --> 00:34:46,868 Eisenhower gathers his cabinet and he says, 627 00:34:46,962 --> 00:34:48,703 All right, my goodness, we didn't see this coming. 628 00:34:48,797 --> 00:34:49,778 What's the plan? 629 00:34:49,798 --> 00:34:50,630 And there is no plan. 630 00:34:51,967 --> 00:34:53,524 Most of the president's advisors say, 631 00:34:53,543 --> 00:34:54,467 Well, look, stalin is dead, 632 00:34:54,619 --> 00:34:56,377 But the soviet system still exists. 633 00:34:56,529 --> 00:34:58,304 He'll be replaced by somebody else. 634 00:34:58,456 --> 00:35:00,715 And really this doesn't change anything. 635 00:35:00,867 --> 00:35:04,144 And eisenhower said, I think that's a terrible attitude. 636 00:35:04,295 --> 00:35:07,480 I want on my desk some proposals for how to take advantage 637 00:35:07,632 --> 00:35:08,648 Of stalin's death. 638 00:35:10,635 --> 00:35:12,134 - As a military man, 639 00:35:12,154 --> 00:35:15,638 He understood at a very nuanced level, 640 00:35:15,657 --> 00:35:19,050 Escalation dynamics, aggression, mistrust, 641 00:35:19,068 --> 00:35:22,220 And he saw an opening with the death of stalin 642 00:35:22,313 --> 00:35:23,997 To try to reset the relationship. 643 00:35:26,559 --> 00:35:29,394 - So he gives a great speech in April of 1953, 644 00:35:29,487 --> 00:35:31,746 Called the chance for peace speech. 645 00:35:31,840 --> 00:35:33,915 It's really directed at the new soviet leadership. 646 00:35:34,009 --> 00:35:36,825 And eisenhower says the cold war and the arms race 647 00:35:36,845 --> 00:35:38,661 Is a terrible tragedy. 648 00:35:38,680 --> 00:35:40,905 It's not something that we want, 649 00:35:40,924 --> 00:35:43,332 But if you can assure us that you too want peace, 650 00:35:43,426 --> 00:35:45,334 We can work out something. 651 00:35:45,353 --> 00:35:48,504 And he recounts what exactly the costs of these weapons 652 00:35:48,523 --> 00:35:50,190 That america is building really are. 653 00:35:51,676 --> 00:35:54,527 - The cost of one, modern heavy bomber is this, 654 00:35:55,864 --> 00:35:58,364 A modern brick school in more than 30 cities. 655 00:35:59,776 --> 00:36:03,870 It is two electric power plants 656 00:36:04,097 --> 00:36:06,873 Each serving a town of 60,000 population. 657 00:36:08,435 --> 00:36:12,003 It is two fine fully equipped hospitals. 658 00:36:13,773 --> 00:36:16,290 - The picture that he paints of a world in an arms race, 659 00:36:16,384 --> 00:36:19,844 He says very memorably, is not a real way of life. 660 00:36:21,130 --> 00:36:23,631 - This is not a way of life at all. 661 00:36:23,725 --> 00:36:27,060 In any two cents, under the cloud of threatening war, 662 00:36:27,287 --> 00:36:29,562 It is humanity hanging from across a fire. 663 00:36:31,382 --> 00:36:32,957 - What he's saying is the arms race 664 00:36:32,976 --> 00:36:35,068 Is akin to the crucifixion of humanity. 665 00:36:36,813 --> 00:36:39,964 - He's trying to make the case that fewer countries 666 00:36:39,983 --> 00:36:42,391 With weapons and fewer weapons are a good thing. 667 00:36:42,410 --> 00:36:44,986 And the way to stop an arms race is to limit the building 668 00:36:45,080 --> 00:36:46,637 Of new weapons. 669 00:36:46,656 --> 00:36:50,232 - He was trying to talk about this opportunity that we had 670 00:36:50,326 --> 00:36:54,236 As an international community to reset on some common values 671 00:36:54,256 --> 00:36:55,755 Around trust and cooperation. 672 00:36:57,650 --> 00:37:02,095 - There is an eruption of positive feedback. 673 00:37:02,246 --> 00:37:06,266 America was tired of war, and to hear eisenhower 674 00:37:06,493 --> 00:37:10,252 Offer the hand of peace was an emotional moment 675 00:37:10,272 --> 00:37:14,590 And the public responded with rejoicing, 676 00:37:14,609 --> 00:37:18,336 But also they wanted to know what the next step was. 677 00:37:18,354 --> 00:37:21,689 Was he really willing to put real skin in the game 678 00:37:21,783 --> 00:37:24,784 And begin to dismantle america's own nuclear deterrent? 679 00:37:29,791 --> 00:37:32,274 - [clinton] just three months into his presidency, 680 00:37:32,294 --> 00:37:34,794 President eisenhower surprises the world by calling 681 00:37:35,021 --> 00:37:37,422 For a radical rethinking of the cold war, 682 00:37:38,967 --> 00:37:41,025 But how will the soviet leadership respond 683 00:37:41,044 --> 00:37:42,877 To the bold initiative? 684 00:37:43,029 --> 00:37:45,138 Are they ready to rethink they arms race? 685 00:37:48,310 --> 00:37:51,702 - The soviets are quite cool to eisenhower's overture. 686 00:37:51,721 --> 00:37:54,372 They weren't sure what eisenhower really meant. 687 00:37:54,390 --> 00:37:56,566 Was he really suggesting the cold war was over? 688 00:37:57,560 --> 00:37:58,801 What did that mean in practice? 689 00:37:58,895 --> 00:38:00,820 Did it mean leaving germany? 690 00:38:00,971 --> 00:38:03,156 Did it mean getting out of europe altogether? 691 00:38:03,383 --> 00:38:06,567 So nobody quite understood how you would get 692 00:38:06,661 --> 00:38:09,311 To a peaceful agreement with the soviet union 693 00:38:09,405 --> 00:38:12,056 And the united states, and eisenhower 694 00:38:12,149 --> 00:38:14,584 Wasn't able to clinch the deal in 1953. 695 00:38:16,171 --> 00:38:19,422 - His chance for peace speech fell on deaf ears. 696 00:38:25,830 --> 00:38:26,921 - [announcer] ladies and gentlemen, 697 00:38:27,073 --> 00:38:28,264 The president of the united states. 698 00:38:30,185 --> 00:38:32,076 - Good evening, my fellow americans. 699 00:38:32,095 --> 00:38:35,913 - When he's leaving office in 1961, 700 00:38:36,006 --> 00:38:40,509 He really sees that as a moment to issue a warning 701 00:38:40,603 --> 00:38:43,529 To the country and to the world 702 00:38:43,681 --> 00:38:47,091 About this growing danger that even he, as president 703 00:38:47,110 --> 00:38:49,852 Had been unable to contain. 704 00:38:49,946 --> 00:38:52,688 - I confess that I laid down my official responsibilities 705 00:38:52,782 --> 00:38:56,709 In this field with a definite sense of disappointment. 706 00:38:58,195 --> 00:38:59,937 As one who has witnessed the horror 707 00:39:00,030 --> 00:39:01,714 And the lingering sadness of war, 708 00:39:03,385 --> 00:39:05,718 As one who knows that another war could utterly destroy 709 00:39:05,870 --> 00:39:07,628 This civilization, 710 00:39:07,780 --> 00:39:11,974 I wish I could say tonight that a lasting peace is in sight. 711 00:39:13,728 --> 00:39:15,636 - One of the puzzles of eisenhower 712 00:39:15,730 --> 00:39:19,624 Is how a military figure 713 00:39:19,642 --> 00:39:21,959 Becomes one of the world's great advocates, 714 00:39:21,978 --> 00:39:23,903 Perhaps the greatest advocate we've ever had 715 00:39:24,054 --> 00:39:26,656 In the presidency for disarmament. 716 00:39:28,392 --> 00:39:31,577 But I think that that comes out of his own experiences 717 00:39:32,655 --> 00:39:34,229 That he knew, first of all, 718 00:39:34,249 --> 00:39:38,233 The direct costs and human experience of war, 719 00:39:38,327 --> 00:39:41,162 How devastating it could be. 720 00:39:41,314 --> 00:39:42,755 - Thank you and good night. 721 00:39:47,578 --> 00:39:49,053 - Eisenhower had a vision. 722 00:39:50,673 --> 00:39:54,600 And I think it's unfair to call that vision a failure 723 00:39:54,752 --> 00:39:57,395 Because it never rested just on his shoulders. 724 00:39:59,256 --> 00:40:02,166 - He does create the foundations 725 00:40:02,185 --> 00:40:03,759 For some of the first arms control agreements. 726 00:40:03,778 --> 00:40:07,188 That doesn't make eisenhower's efforts successful, 727 00:40:07,340 --> 00:40:10,524 But they do leave some important legacies 728 00:40:10,618 --> 00:40:13,870 That can be turned into successes by kennedy and others. 729 00:40:16,106 --> 00:40:20,685 - And so this idea of vision is a central component 730 00:40:20,778 --> 00:40:23,854 Of how we understand the presidency 731 00:40:23,873 --> 00:40:26,448 To do what it takes to go against the grain, 732 00:40:26,542 --> 00:40:28,709 Perhaps to do what is necessary 733 00:40:28,803 --> 00:40:32,972 And what is necessarily unpopular in particular moments. 734 00:40:33,199 --> 00:40:36,642 So they have vision of what is possible 735 00:40:38,371 --> 00:40:40,646 When we don't necessarily have that vision for ourselves. 736 00:40:42,299 --> 00:40:44,484 - Eisenhower's vision of mutual disarmament failed 737 00:40:44,711 --> 00:40:46,043 In his time, 738 00:40:46,062 --> 00:40:48,821 But he highlighted a challenge that we'd have to face 739 00:40:48,973 --> 00:40:53,067 Sooner or later, and he imagined how it could be met. 740 00:40:53,219 --> 00:40:55,310 It is the perpetual job of the president 741 00:40:55,404 --> 00:40:59,223 To strive for a more perfect union to look around the corner 742 00:40:59,242 --> 00:41:03,077 And down the road and try to keep us growing together 743 00:41:03,171 --> 00:41:04,253 And going forward. 744 00:41:05,231 --> 00:41:06,321 But as we found out, 745 00:41:06,341 --> 00:41:08,991 It can be easier to put a man on the moon 746 00:41:09,010 --> 00:41:11,177 Than to form a more perfect union. 747 00:41:11,404 --> 00:41:13,829 In recent decades, the ability of any president 748 00:41:13,848 --> 00:41:17,091 To unite to country in common cause has been hampered 749 00:41:17,243 --> 00:41:19,352 By increasing polarization, 750 00:41:19,579 --> 00:41:21,854 A well-organized effort from within and without 751 00:41:22,006 --> 00:41:23,931 To erode faith in our institutions 752 00:41:24,025 --> 00:41:27,843 And the lack of an information system rooted in agreement, 753 00:41:27,937 --> 00:41:29,862 Even on basic facts. 754 00:41:31,274 --> 00:41:33,866 It's a new and serious threat to our democracy, 755 00:41:34,018 --> 00:41:36,777 But we shouldn't despair that all is lost. 756 00:41:36,871 --> 00:41:38,854 After all, we've allowed ourselves to walk up 757 00:41:38,873 --> 00:41:41,374 From the edge of destruction before in our history. 758 00:41:42,710 --> 00:41:45,786 And when it mattered most we've pulled back 759 00:41:45,938 --> 00:41:47,863 Led by our finest presidents 760 00:41:47,882 --> 00:41:51,125 Who called on the better angels of our nature 761 00:41:51,277 --> 00:41:54,128 And helped us to chart a new way forward. 762 00:41:54,222 --> 00:41:57,390 We can, and we will do it again. 763 00:41:58,785 --> 00:42:01,143 (soft music) 764 00:42:07,293 --> 00:42:08,568 (gunfire)