Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States
Storyline
Oliver Stone's re-examination of under-reported events in American history.
Episodes
Specials
No overview available for this season.
Prologue: Chapter A - World War I, the Russian Revolution & Woodrow Wilson
Oct 15, 2013
The world political and colonial empires at the beginning of the 20th century. The USA resuming control of most of the former Spanish empire around the globe plus Great Britain and Germany's ideology at that time. It continues on into the Russian revolution when Lenin became leader. This is a bonus episode that precedes the other 8 episodes of the series.
Prologue: Chapter B - 1920-1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin
Oct 15, 2013
Many events from the 1920s that led up to the establishment of the leaders prior to and during world war II. Most everyone knows about prohibition but few know about the US bankers profiteering extensively by loaning money to post world war I Germany who then paid its war reparation to Britain and France who in turn paid their war debts to the US. USMC general Smedley Butler speaks out against these acts of profiteering. He is suspiciously left out of modern US history.
A Conversation with History
Oct 15, 2013
Executive producer Oliver Stone and author/political philosopher Tariq Ali share a wide-sweeping discussion on American history, the myth of national benevolence, corruption by way of power, the roots and entanglements of the military-industrial complex, post-World War II international events that came to bear on fears and anxieties in the United States, the wars, conflicts and social upheavals of the 20th century, the naiveté of young citizens, the ever-developing narratives of history, and much, much more.
Episode 4
Jun 29, 2026
Season 1
No overview available for this season.
Chapter 1 - World War Two
Nov 12, 2012
The first chapter explores the birth of the American Empire by focusing on Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. Through examination of key decisions during World War II, discover unsung heroes such as American Henry Wallace and explore the demonization of the Soviets.
Chapter 2 - Roosevelt, Truman & Wallace
Nov 19, 2012
Highlights from the historical upset of Harry Truman replacing Henry Wallace as Roosevelt's Vice President. Exploration of the relationship between the US and the Soviet Union and the beginnings of the Cold War.
Chapter 3 - The Bomb
Nov 26, 2012
The strategies behind the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan are explored as well as the new mythology that emerged from the war. The bombing haunted the Soviets and mistrust towards the Allies grew quickly.
Chapter 4 - The Cold War - 1945-1950
Dec 03, 2012
The equation changes: specific month-by-month causes of the Cold War emerge and it is not entirely clear who started it. Highlights include Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, the civil war in Greece and the Red Scare that prompts the rise of Joseph McCarthy, the House Un-American Activities Committee and the FBI.
Chapter 5 - The 50s: Eisenhower, the Bomb & the Third World
Dec 10, 2012
Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles replace Truman. Stalin dies but relations with the Soviet Union turn colder. The H-bomb and the doctrine of nuclear annihilation are explored, as are the Korean War and U.S. rearmament. McCarthyism grows and so does the ruthlessness of U.S. policy towards a Third World. Eisenhower emerges as a game changer.
Chapter 6 - JFK: To the Brink
Dec 17, 2012
JFK and the Bay of Pigs; on the brink of total war during Cuban Missile Crisis; early Vietnam; JFK's attempts at peace with Khrushchev; JFK assassinated. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
Chapter 7 - Johnson, Nixon & Vietnam: Reversal of Fortune
Dec 24, 2012
The war in Vietnam reaches a turning point; President Nixon's involvement in Watergate comes to light.
Chapter 8 - Reagan, Gorbachev & Third World: Rise of the Right
Dec 31, 2012
Ronald Reagan succeeds Jimmy Carter; Reagan and the Soviet Union's Mikhail Gorbachev powwow; and Reagan's legacy is examined.
Chapter 9 - Bush & Clinton: American Triumphalism - New World Order
Jan 07, 2013
George W. Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the U.S. economy; the end of the Cold War; and national security in America.
Chapter 10 - Bush & Obama: Age of Terror
Jan 14, 2013
In the finale, the war on terrorism and the presidential administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama are examined.