skip to main content

Primary Source Essentials: The Truman Doctrine

2 minutes 10 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

"Primary Source Essentials: The Truman Doctrine" offers a concise exploration of the Truman Doctrine's historical significance. Originating in the post-World War II era, this pivotal policy marked the United States' commitment to preventing the spread of communism during the Cold War. The video emphasizes President Harry Truman's call for aiding Greece and Turkey to counter communist influence, laying the groundwork for U.S. foreign policy focused on containment. Key educational concepts include democracy, totalitarianism, and global geopolitics, presented in an engaging manner suitable for school-aged audiences. The video highlights Truman's belief in supporting free peoples against subjugation by armed minorities or external pressure, underscoring the importance of safeguarding democracy globally. Through $400 million in aid, the United States sought to secure strategically significant regions, illustrating the expansive vision of American foreign policy. This video serves as a fundamental resource for understanding Cold War dynamics and U.S. international involvement.

Media Details

Runtime: 2 minutes 10 seconds

Still image from: 54 Days: America and the Pandemic
51 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 10
Digital collage. Superimposed heads of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson on the bodies of 2 men with arms around each other. Text overlay reads, "B, F, Fs 4 eva." Caption. His best friend was Thomas Jefferson.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 2
1 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Digital collage with James Monroe wrapped in an American flag and a number 1 foam hand that reads, "U, S, A." Black and white image of crowd waving American flags in background. Caption. His presidency was called the Era of Good Feelings.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 4
1 minutes 14 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Digital collage. John Adams' head superimposed on Christmas elf's body standing in front of Massachusetts State House. Speech bubble reads, "Go Sawks!" Caption. Female as narrator. John Adams was a grumpy, frumpy principled lawyer from Boston.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 5
1 minutes 12 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Painting of Thomas Jefferson with an exaggerated head. He stands in a room filled with men, some surrounding a table with books and papers. Speech bubble reads, "Take that King George!" Caption. Tom took the lead on the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 6
1 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
ASL
Dark frame shows a shadowy figure standing indoors. Text at the bottom of the frame reads, "Reenactment."
54 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Caption. Among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
13 minutes 48 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Closeup of weathered Constitution on parchment with handwritten script that reads, "We the people," in large script at top.
A History of Civil Rights in America
Episode 1
29 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Black and white photo of Abraham Lincoln wearing a top hat and flanked by men in uniform. Large tent and trees in background.
A History of Civil Rights in America
Episode 2
26 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Mottled black and white photo of 3 Native Americans with white tipis in background.
A History of Civil Rights in America
Episode 3
28 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12