Ep 1. The Civilian Conservation Corps

In season 22 episode 1 of American Experience titled "The Civilian Conservation Corps", viewers are taken on a journey through one of the most successful New Deal programs in U.S. history. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a program that provided employment for millions of unemployed youth during the Great Depression by putting them to work on public lands across the country.

The program was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, with the goal of providing work relief for young men while also improving the nation's public lands and national parks. During its nine-year existence, the CCC put over three million young men to work in various conservation efforts such as planting trees, fighting wildfires, and constructing trails and campgrounds.

The episode begins by providing context for the creation of the CCC, explaining the economic and social conditions of the Great Depression and the dire need for employment opportunities. We see the CCC through the eyes of two young men, Joseph Healy and Edward Putala, who join the program in search of work and adventure.

Viewers witness the challenging and physically demanding work involved in the CCC, as well as the positive impact it had on the young men's lives and the environment. We see the transformation of barren lands to forests, the creation of recreational areas, and the building of roads and infrastructure that are still in use today.

However, the episode does not shy away from the controversies and criticisms of the CCC. Viewers see the racial and gender inequalities within the program, as well as some of the negative impacts on Native American lands and communities.

Through interviews with historians and experts, as well as archival footage and photos, viewers gain a comprehensive understanding of the CCC and its impact on the country. The episode also explores the legacy of the program, including its influence on later conservation efforts and the lasting impact it had on the millions of young men who participated.

Overall, "The Civilian Conservation Corps" provides a fascinating and comprehensive look at one of the most significant New Deal programs in American history. Viewers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of the Great Depression, the power of government intervention, and the importance of conservation efforts in the United States.