History

The Roosevelts

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. Available with English audio, English captions, Spanish audio, Spanish captions, and Audio Description.

A Strong and Active Faith (1944-1962)

1h 51m

Frail and failing but determined to see the war through to victory, FDR wins re-election and begins planning for a peaceful postwar world, but a cerebral hemorrhage kills him at 63. After her husband’s death, Eleanor Roosevelt proves herself a shrewd politician and a skilled negotiator in her own right, as well as a champion of civil rights, civil liberties and the United Nations.

Episodes

  • A Strong and Active Faith (1944-1962): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Strong and Active Faith (1944-1962)

    S1 E7 - 1h 51m

    Frail and failing but determined to see the war through to victory, FDR wins re-election and begins planning for a peaceful postwar world, but a cerebral hemorrhage kills him at 63. After her husband’s death, Eleanor Roosevelt proves herself a shrewd politician and a skilled negotiator in her own right, as well as a champion of civil rights, civil liberties and the United Nations.

  • The Common Cause (1939-1944): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Common Cause (1939-1944)

    S1 E6 - 1h 55m

    FDR shatters the third-term tradition, struggles to prepare a reluctant country to enter World War II and, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, helps set the course toward Allied victory. Meanwhile, Eleanor struggles to keep New Deal reforms alive in wartime and travels the Pacific to comfort wounded servicemen.

  • The Rising Road (1933-1939): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Rising Road (1933-1939)

    S1 E5 - 1h 56m

    FDR brings the same optimism and energy to the White House that his cousin Theodore displayed. Aimed at ending the Depression, his sweeping New Deal restores the people’s self-confidence and transforms the relationship between them and their government. Eleanor rejects the traditional role of first lady, becomes her husband’s liberal conscience and a sometimes controversial political force.

  • The Storm (1920-1933): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Storm (1920-1933)

    S1 E4 - 1h 56m

    Franklin Roosevelt runs for vice president in 1920 and seems assured of a still brighter future until polio devastates him. He spends seven years struggling without success to walk again, while Eleanor builds her own personal and political life of. FDR returns to politics in 1928 and acts with such vigor during the first years of the Great Depression that the Democrats nominate him for president.

  • The Fire of Life (1910-1919): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Fire of Life (1910-1919)

    S1 E3 - 1h 56m

    Theodore Roosevelt leads a Progressive crusade that splits his own party, campaigns for American entry into World War I — and pays a terrible personal price. Franklin masters wartime Washington as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, while Eleanor finds personal salvation in war work. Her discovery of Franklin’s romance with another woman transforms their marriage into a largely political partnership.

  • In the Arena (1901-1910): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    In the Arena (1901-1910)

    S1 E2 - 1h 56m

    Murder brings Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency, but in the seven years that follow, he transforms the office and makes himself perhaps the best-loved of all presidents, battling corporate greed, preserving American wilderness, carrying the message of American might around the world. FDR weds Eleanor Roosevelt, and jumps at the chance to run for the New York state senate.

  • Get Action (1858-1901): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Get Action (1858-1901)

    S1 E1 - 1h 54m

    A frail, asthmatic young Theodore Roosevelt transforms himself into a champion of the strenuous life, loses one great love and finds another, leads men into battle and then rises like a rocket to become the youngest president in American history at 42. Meanwhile, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, brought up as the pampered only child of adoring parents, follows his older cousin’s career with fascination.

Extras + Features

  • Intro: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Intro

    S1 - 7m 51s

    The Roosevelts: An Intimate History chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics.

  • Official Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Official Trailer

    S1 - 30s

    Ken Burns’s seven-part documentary weaves the stories of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of one of the most prominent and influential families in American politics. The 14-hour series marks the first time their individual stories have been woven into a single narrative.

  • Theodore Roosevelt: American Hero: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Theodore Roosevelt: American Hero

    S1 - 2m 49s

    At this point in history, a victor of war is a victor of the public sphere. Theodore Roosevelt's success in the Spanish-American War opened every political door for his future. And his Easterner turned Westerner persona allowed him to appeal to most every aspect of American life at the time.

  • The Lead Up To World War II: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Lead Up To World War II

    S1 - 4m 56s

    As the Nazi Party swept across Germany and steadily gained power, there was growing concern from both Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. However, a Gallup Poll showed the that majority of Americans opposed offering sanctuary to European refugees. And FDR's bill to sell arms to Britain and France should Germany invade Poland never even reached the Senate floor.

  • Theodore Roosevelt: The Early Years: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Theodore Roosevelt: The Early Years

    S1 - 3m 26s

    As a young man, Theodore Roosevelt was weak, had a poor heart, and was not expected to live a very long life. Yet during his years at Harvard, he rose to popularity among the university's most prestigious clubs, fought for the lightweight boxing championship, was among the top of his class, and even fell in love.

  • The Royals' Visit: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Royals' Visit

    S1 - 2m 9s

    King George and Queen Elizabeth visit the United States in June of 1939.

  • Hyde Park Roosevelts: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hyde Park Roosevelts

    S1 - 4m 49s

    James Roosevelt married Sara Delano and they settle down in Hyde Park.

Schedule

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