McCarthy Defends His War on Communism
In March 1954, Sen. Joseph McCarthy appears before the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago to discuss the continuing threat of Communism.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
McCarthy Defends His War on Communism
McCarthy Defends His War on CommunismAudio Clip (12:40)
Audio Clip (12:40)
In March 1954, Sen. Joseph McCarthy appears before the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago to discuss the continuing threat of Communism.
-
Eisenhower on the Second Berlin Crisis
Eisenhower on the Second Berlin CrisisAudio Clip (1:11)
Audio Clip (1:11)
In November 1958, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev demanded that Western forces pull out of West Berlin in six months. On March 16, 1959, in a radio and television report to the American people, President Eisenhower speaks of the escalating Cold War tensions over Berlin, stressing that the United States will not give in to pressure from the USSR.
-
Henry Cabot Lodge Urges U.N. Action on Hungary
Henry Cabot Lodge Urges U.N. Action on HungaryAudio Clip (0:22)
Audio Clip (0:22)
U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. calls an emergency meeting of the U.N. General Assembly after Hungarians begin revolting against communist rule in October 1956.
-
Reagan Approves Iran-Contra Counsel
Reagan Approves Iran-Contra CounselAudio Clip (2:14)
Audio Clip (2:14)
After the Iran-Contra scandal is exposed in November 1986, President Ronald Reagan announces to the nation that he would "welcome the appointment of an independent counsel" to investigate matters. The Iran-Contra Affair involved the secret selling of arms to Iran in exchange for the release of hostages. The money from the arms sales was then used to secretly support the Contras in their battle against the Sandinista government of Nicaragua.
-
Reagan Addresses British Parliament
Reagan Addresses British ParliamentAudio Clip (0:17)
Audio Clip (0:17)
On June 8, 1982, in the first speech by an American president to a meeting of both houses of the British Parliament, President Ronald Reagan presents his hope for a future that would "leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history."
-
Kennedy Speaks Before Meeting Khrushchev
Kennedy Speaks Before Meeting KhrushchevAudio Clip (1:09)
Audio Clip (1:09)
At a May 31, 1961, Paris press conference, President John F. Kennedy describes his principal aim for meeting with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev at the Geneva summit, the first between the two superpowers since 1960.
-
Reagan on Historic Visit to Berlin Wall
Reagan on Historic Visit to Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
In June of 1987, President Ronald Reagan stopped in West Berlin on the 750th anniversary of the city and delivered one of his most famous lines when he demanded that Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall. In an address to the nation following his return from that trip, President Reagan recalls standing next to the imposing structure.
-
Eisenhower on the Suez Canal Crisis
Eisenhower on the Suez Canal CrisisAudio Clip (4:03)
Audio Clip (4:03)
In October 1956, Britain and France entered into a coalition with Israel, and the three nations launched a military attack against Egyptian forces in the Suez Canal. On October 31, in a speech to the nation, President Eisenhower expresses the United States' opposition to the military action.
-
Cold War Arms Race
Cold War Arms RaceAudio Clip (2:24)
Audio Clip (2:24)
On March 21, 1960, U.S. Vice Admiral Hyman Rickover discusses the importance of keeping abreast of Soviet technological developments.
-
McCarthy Questioned on Anti-Communist Investigation
McCarthy Questioned on Anti-Communist InvestigationAudio Clip (3:38)
Audio Clip (3:38)
In a 1953 episode of NBC's "Meet the Press," Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy is questioned by a panel of reporters on his role as the new chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
Related Videos (10)
-
Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy and the Cuban Missile CrisisVideo Clip (2:38)
Video Clip (2:38)
President Kennedy avoided nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis and gained the trust of the nation.
-
JFK's Road to the White House
JFK's Road to the White HouseVideo Clip (3:43)
Video Clip (3:43)
John F. Kennedy sets his sights on the White House.
-
Lyndon Johnson's Presidential Legacy
Lyndon Johnson's Presidential LegacyVideo Clip (4:06)
Video Clip (4:06)
Lyndon Johnson's presidency is remembered in part for his handling of the Vietnam War, but he also advanced civil rights and equality throughout the nation.
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Pearl Harbor
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Pearl HarborVideo Clip (2:20)
Video Clip (2:20)
Take a look at the events leading to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which prompted President Roosevelt to declare war on the Japanese and enter World War II.
-
Kennedy Responds to Berlin Wall
Kennedy Responds to Berlin WallVideo Clip (3:05)
Video Clip (3:05)
President Kennedy's diplomatic resolve was tested as tension mounted at the Berlin wall.
-
Nixon's Secret Plan to End the Vietnam War
Nixon's Secret Plan to End the Vietnam WarVideo Clip (3:36)
Video Clip (3:36)
In 1968, Richard Nixon ran on a platform for presidency that included a "secret plan" to end the war in Vietnam.
-
Gerald Ford: Mayaguez Incident
Gerald Ford: Mayaguez IncidentVideo Clip (2:54)
Video Clip (2:54)
Watch this historical clip of President Ford as he announces that the crew men of the SS Maya Guez have been rescued from Cambodian forces. This was a very exciting and popular move for President Ford.
-
JFK Sets Goal for Man on Moon
JFK Sets Goal for Man on MoonVideo Clip (1:56)
Video Clip (1:56)
John F. Kennedy's sets the goal of the United States to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth.
-
The Great Communicator
The Great CommunicatorVideo Clip (4:18)
Video Clip (4:18)
Ronald Reagan galvanized the American public through his famous speeches that helped redefine American politics in the 1980s.
-
The Seawolves
The SeawolvesVideo Clip (4:56)
Video Clip (4:56)
A surprise phone call reunites two Vietnam war veterans, George Heady and Al Billings, with films of their service in the Navy Seawolves helicopter unit.
Related Photo Galleries (2)
-
Communist Leaders
Communist Leaders(12 Photos)
12 Photos
During the 20th century, the worldwide spread of communism took many different forms under the direction of each country's leadership.
-
Russian Rulers
Russian Rulers(18 Photos)
18 Photos
From the Romanovs to Revolution and beyond, discover the rulers and politicians behind Russia's tumultuous history.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
Attack on Pearl Harbor
(1:49)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
The Doomsday Clock
Learn the history of the clock - developed in 1947 as an image to symbolize urgency in the Cold War and the threat of nuclear disaster.
$19.99
Buy Now -
The White House: Behind Closed Doors DVD
Learn the secrets of America's most recognizable residence.
$17.47
Buy Now -
The Rise and Fall of the Wall DVD
Declassified information from both sides of the Iron Curtain sheds new light on the enduring icon of the Cold War.
$20.99
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up






