The Great War: Part 1

American neutrality erodes as Wilson declares “the world must be made safe for democracy.”

See TV Schedule

The Great War: Part 1 American Experience

Premiered April 10, 2017

The Great War: Part 1: asset-mezzanine-16x9

This video is unavailable in your area. Visit the PBS FAQ page for more information.

The Great War: Part 1

American neutrality is eroded by reports of German atrocities and submarine attacks, leading Wilson to proclaim that “the world must be made safe for democracy.”

More Ways to Watch

See TV Schedule

Episode Extras

There is no such thing as “Mr. Yoga,” but there was a “Mr. Pilates.”

Watch (02:38)

Clip

Mr. Pilates

A composer's research process and the challenges he faced in creating music for the film.

Watch (02:02)

Clip

Boot Camp

How could President Wilson call for democracy abroad while suppressing it at home?

Watch (01:46)

Clip

Alice Paul: The Suffragist

Creating music to reflect the mood and feelings of the film, without editorializing it.

Watch (02:30)

Clip

Anti-German Hysteria

How a race-car driver came to be one of the most famous fighters of the Great War.

Watch (01:40)

Clip

Eddie Rickenbacker: The Ace

Explore America’s tortured, nearly three-year journey to war.

Watch (00:30)

Preview

The Great War, Part 1: Trailer

How WW1 to “make the world safe for democracy”—altered America’s place in the world.

Watch (00:30)

Clip

The Great War: Transformed

George Creel — the man tasked with selling the Great War to the American people.

Watch (01:37)

Clip

George Creel: The Salesman

Private Ralph John’s training for the Great War was two days’ practice with a rifle.

Watch (01:38)

Clip

Ralph John: The Soldier

The Great War promo

Watch (00:30)

Preview

The Great War promo

The Great War tells the rich and complex story of World War I.

Watch (02:10)

Preview

The Great War trailer

After more than two years, thousands of American soldiers boarded ships bound for France.

Watch (08:28)

Clip

The Great War: Chapter 1

American Experience Executive Producer Mark Samels discusses the film and why we made it.

Watch (02:24)

Clip

The Great War: Why we made it

How an editor selects images, footage, and expert interviews to convey The Lost Battalion.

Watch (02:15)

Clip

The Lost Battalion

For Woodrow Wilson, the Great War was a chance for America to become a global citizen.

Watch (01:12)

Clip

Woodrow Wilson: The Decider

How WWI transformed America through those whose participation has largely been forgotten.

Watch (00:30)

Clip

The Great War: Culture Change

All Episodes

American Experience: Season 29

Summer of Love: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (52:40)

Summer of Love

The Race Underground: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (53:08)

The Race Underground

The Great War: Part 3: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:52:53)

The Great War: Part 3

The Great War: Part 2: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:53:07)

The Great War: Part 2

The Great War: Part 1: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:52:53)

The Great War: Part 1

Tesla: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (53:11)

Tesla

Program Specials & Extras

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.

Watch (53:02)

Special

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [ASL]

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.

Watch (1:00:42)

Special

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [Extended Audio Description]

Learn about the beginning of the environmental justice movement.

Watch (04:33)

Clip

Earthkeeping: Toxic Racism

About the Program

American Experience

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Connect with American Experience