The Presidents

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  1. Washington to Monroe (1789-1825)

  60m

  During the heady days of the Constitutional Era, America's Founding Fathers set the future of a nation on its course. Washington helps define the Presidency that evolves through Monroe's administration, while Adams sees the country through the XYZ Affair and Jefferson signs the Louisiana Purchase.

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  2. John Q. Adams to Polk (1825-1849)

  60m

  In a period of rapid growth for the nation and contentious politics in Washington, Jackson heralds in the era of the Common Man and Manifest Destiny. Quincy Adams threatens to undo the virtues of American politics, while the economy tumbles during Van Buren's term. Harrison dies in office and Polk declares war on Mexico.

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  3. Taylor to Lincoln (1849-1865)

  60m

  The most volatile period in U.S. history leads to the American Civil War. Follow the Presidency from the rough style of Taylor--the second president to die in office--and relative ineffectiveness of Fillmore and Pierce, to the near treason of Buchanan's administration, to Lincoln's shocking assassination.

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  4. Andrew Johnson to Arthur (1865-1885)

  60m

  The Age of Reconstruction follows the Civil War. Three of the five presidents during this period are former generals of this war. Highlights include Johnson's impeachment trial, Grant's triumphs, the back room politics of Hayes, and Arthur's Civil Service reforms.

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  5. Cleveland to Taft (1885-1913)

  60m

  During an era of unbridled economic growth called the Gilded Age, Cleveland becomes the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms, McKinley is assassinated, Teddy Roosevelt launches an all-out anti-trust assault on Big Money monopolies, and Taft becomes estranged from his mentor and friend, Teddy Roosevelt.

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  6. Wilson to FDR (1913-1945)

  60m

  While America emerges as a super-power, Wilson promises to "make the world safe for democracy," Harding's administration is wracked by scandal, Coolidge ushers the nation to a dangerous economic precipice that leaves Hoover with the Great Depression--which finally ends as FDR leads the nation through WWII.

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  7. Truman to Ford (1945-1977)

  60m

  Truman leads the United States into the Atomic Age and the beginning of the Cold War. The most likeable president in U.S. history and hero of D-Day, Eisenhower is followed by the youthful charisma of Kennedy, until his tragic assassination. LBJ finally pulls out of Vietnam, while Nixon resigns and Ford stumbles. Along the way the moon is reached.

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  8. Carter to George W. Bush (1977-Present)

  60m

  From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the inauguration of 2005, Carter suffers through an economic depression and the Iran Hostage Crisis; Reagan survives assassination, Iran-Contra, and the Strategic Defense Initiative; George Bush initiates the Gulf War; Clinton presides over a booming economy, sex scandals, and impeachment; and George W. Bush follows 9/11 with his cowboy Doctrine of Pre-emptive Strikes.

• 9. All the President's Wives

  60m

  As the saying goes, behind every great man stands a great woman. This special bonus feature sets about both proving and disproving the adage. From the remarkable accomplishments of Eleanor Roosevelt to the quiet strength of Barbara Bush to the future Presidential hopes of Hillary Rodham Clinton, take a fascinating look at the nation's most significant others.

Cast

Edward Herrmann

Narrator