Cold War episode 18 – Good Guys, Bad Guys 1967-1978: The Cold War was not only a confrontation between two superpowers, but also a series of proxy conflicts that involved their allies and surrogates in different regions of the world. One of the main arenas of this surrogate warfare was the Middle East, where the United States and the Soviet […]
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Cold War episode 17 – Detente 1969-1975: In the early 1970s, North Vietnam launched a new offensive against the South, prompting the United States to intensify its bombing campaign in an effort to bring an end to the conflict. At the same time, the U.S. government, under President Richard Nixon, sought to establish peace through diplomatic means, building closer relations
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Hidden Treasures of the National Trust episode 1: A painting’s hidden story is revealed, a beautiful Chinese bridge is painstakingly rebuilt, and a 450-year-old table must be saved from collapse and made ready to go on tour. In the first episode of “Hidden Treasures of the National Trust,” viewers are taken on an extraordinary journey to uncover the hidden stories
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Cold War episode 14 – Make Love, not War: The Sixties – As the Western economies experienced growth and prosperity during the mid-20th century, a significant portion of this success was fueled by the production of armaments. This era saw young people rejecting the affluence of their parents’ generation and the political tensions of the Cold War. Many among the
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Age of Steam episode 5: A look at how steam power revolutionised shipping, from the earliest paddle steamers with screw propellers to more modern vessels like the Royal Yacht Britannia. Britain’s most beloved steeplejack and fervent industrial enthusiast, the late Fred Dibnah, transports us to the captivating era of the 18th century, when the ground-breaking invention of the steam engine
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Cold War episode 12 – MAD 1960-1972 – Throughout the 1960s, the United States and the Soviet Union find themselves embroiled in a perilous nuclear standoff, both keenly aware that attacking the other could incite retaliation and result in self-destruction. This precarious balance leads to the evolution of nuclear strategy, known as Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), in which both sides
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Cold War episode 11 – Vietnam 1954-1968: Since the conclusion of French colonial rule, Vietnam has been a nation divided. The North is governed by communists, while the South is controlled by anti-communists. Despite cautionary advice against involvement in a nationalist conflict, the United States deploys its military forces. As opposition to the war grows within America, the US comes
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Age of Steam episode 4: As Fred embarked on his mission to trace the development of steam power, he found himself delving into a world of invention, experimentation, and human ingenuity. By unearthing the stories behind the traction engine’s rise, Fred not only gained a deeper appreciation for the Age of Steam, but also forged an emotional connection with the
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Cold War episode 10 – Cuba 1959-1962: In a gripping tale of political intrigue and high-stakes brinkmanship, Khrushchev, with Castro’s consent, decides to station short and medium-range missiles in Cuba, a mere 90 miles from the United States. As the tension mounts, the U.S. discovers the missile sites and enforces a blockade around the island. The two superpowers stand toe-to-toe,
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Cold War episode 9 – The Wall 1958-1963: The fate of Germany remains unresolved. West Germany has been admitted to NATO. Within East Germany, Berlin is divided between East and West by an open border. Thousands seize the chance to flee the communist system. To keep their people in, the East Germans, with Soviet backing, build The Wall.
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Cold War episode 8 – Sputnik 1949-1961: During the mid-1950s, it appeared that the Soviet Union was surging ahead. In October 1957, the first Soviet satellite, Sputnik, orbited the Earth, causing dismay and fear within the United States as their space programme struggled to keep pace. In 1961, the Soviets sent Yuri Gagarin into space, forcing America to rise to
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Cold War episode 7 – After Stalin 1953-1956: Following Stalin’s demise, it becomes possible for change to occur. Khrushchev outwits Malenkov in the struggle for power and embarks on a journey to the West. Citizens of Germany, Poland, and Hungary attempt to rebel against Soviet rule. In 1956, a Hungarian uprising is brutally suppressed by Soviet tanks. The US, committed
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