How could a world in pursuit of peace plunge into the most terrible and destructive war ever fought on this plant? The story begins as the prosperity of "the Roaring Twenties" gives way to the Great Depression. Overseas, political and economic unrest lead to the rise of Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany. Japan, too, looks to expand its empire. America remains neutral but scores a triumph at the 1933 Berlin Olympics as African-American track star Jesse Owens defeats German runners to Hitler's humiliation. International incidents seed the clouds of war. With Germany's invasion of Poland, a new word enters our vocabulary: Blitzkrieg.

Sensitive due to scenes of war.

1 videodisc, teacher's guide.