History: American History from Roosevelt to Reagan

This course continues our introduction to American history. Our starting point is the Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, one of the great American leaders. We will complete our look at his domestic policy during a troubled second term in office. We will then examine American foreign policy between the two world wars. Why did America retreat into isolation and how did FDR respond to the increasingly troubled world of the 1930s? We will skip the details of American military involvement in WW2 but examine the early causes and progress of the Cold War. After the affluent if staid 1950s, we will see how America lost direction in the 1960s and 70s becoming embroiled in Vietnam and further troubles at home and abroad. In 1980 Ronald Reagan was elected President, determined to put a smile back on the face of America. We will conclude with a thematic look at the difficult legacy of race relations in the USA and consideration of where America now stands include a quick look at the outcome of the November 2024 Presidential Election outcome and its implications for America and the world.