Ep 7. Kennedy vs. Wallace: a Crisis Up Close

In American Experience season 1 episode 7, titled "Kennedy vs. Wallace: A Crisis Up Close," viewers are taken back to 1963, a time when the nation was deeply divided over issues of race and civil rights. Alabama Governor George Wallace was at the forefront of this turmoil, vehemently opposing desegregation and vocalizing his support for segregationist policies.

As President John F. Kennedy worked to make progress on civil rights issues, he faced intense opposition from Wallace and other segregationist leaders. The two men clashed publicly and privately, with Kennedy eventually deploying federal troops to enforce integration of the University of Alabama in 1963.

Through rare archival footage and interviews with those who witnessed these events firsthand, viewers get a firsthand look at the dramatic and often chaotic confrontations between Kennedy and Wallace. The episode also explores the powerful legacy of this time period, with many of the issues and attitudes that fueled the tensions of the 1960s still present in today's society.

"Kennedy vs. Wallace: A Crisis Up Close" offers a revealing look at a pivotal moment in American history, shedding light on the political, social, and cultural forces that continue to shape our country to this day.