The BEST episodes of The Untold History of the United States

Every episode of The Untold History of the United States ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Untold History of the United States!

The Untold History of the United States (also known as Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States) is a 2012 documentary series created, directed, produced, and narrated by Oliver Stone about the reasons behind the Cold War, the decision to drop the atomic bombs, and changes in America's global role since the fall of Communism.

Last Updated: 2/27/2024Network: ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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Chapter 1 - World War Two
star
8.45
530 votes

#1 - Chapter 1 - World War Two

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/12/2012

The crucial years of the Second World War. Stone, on the one hand, denounces the steadfastness of Allied forces in the face of the rise of Nazi-fascist regimes and the Americans' choice to use atomic weapons at the end of the conflict, on the other. He celebrates the sacrifice of the Soviet people who succeeded in curbing Hitler's advance, allowing the Allied forces to win the war.

Directors: Oliver Stone
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 9 - Bush & Clinton: American Triumphalism - New World Order
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8.40
278 votes

#2 - Chapter 9 - Bush & Clinton: American Triumphalism - New World Order

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/7/2013

George W. Bush's doctrine of endless war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the continued cannibalization of the U.S. economy. Squandered chances given by the end of the Cold War. A new USA, the National Security Fortress.

Chapter 3 - The Bomb
star
8.34
378 votes

#3 - Chapter 3 - The Bomb

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/26/2012

The strategies behind the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan are explored as well as the new mythology that emerged from the war. The bombing haunted the Soviets and mistrust towards the Allies grew quickly.

Directors: Oliver Stone
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 10 - Bush & Obama: Age of Terror
star
8.22
329 votes

#4 - Chapter 10 - Bush & Obama: Age of Terror

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/14/2013

In the Season 1 finale, the war on terrorism and the presidential administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama are examined.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 5 - The 50s: Eisenhower, the Bomb & the Third World
star
8.10
267 votes

#5 - Chapter 5 - The 50s: Eisenhower, the Bomb & the Third World

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/10/2012

Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles replace Truman. Stalin dies but relations with the Soviet Union turn colder. The H-bomb and the doctrine of nuclear annihilation are explored, as are the Korean War and U.S. rearmament. McCarthyism grows and so does the ruthlessness of U.S. policy towards a Third World. Eisenhower emerges as a game changer.

Directors: Oliver Stone
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 8 - Reagan, Gorbachev & Third World: Rise of the Right
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8.09
285 votes

#6 - Chapter 8 - Reagan, Gorbachev & Third World: Rise of the Right

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/31/2012

Ronald Reagan succeeds Jimmy Carter; Reagan and the Soviet Union's Mikhail Gorbachev powwow; and Reagan's legacy is examined.

Chapter 7 - Johnson, Nixon & Vietnam: Reversal of Fortune
star
8.09
212 votes

#7 - Chapter 7 - Johnson, Nixon & Vietnam: Reversal of Fortune

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/24/2012

The war in Vietnam reaches a turning point; President Nixon's involvement in Watergate comes to light.

Chapter 6 - JFK: To the Brink
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8.09
303 votes

#8 - Chapter 6 - JFK: To the Brink

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/17/2012

JFK and the Bay of Pigs; on the brink of total war during Cuban Missile Crisis; early Vietnam; JFK's attempts at peace with Khrushchev; JFK assassinated. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.

Directors: Oliver Stone
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 2 - Roosevelt, Truman & Wallace
star
8.04
437 votes

#9 - Chapter 2 - Roosevelt, Truman & Wallace

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/19/2012

Highlights from the historical upset of Harry Truman replacing Henry Wallace as Roosevelt's Vice President. Exploration of the relationship between the US and the Soviet Union and the beginnings of the Cold War.

Directors: Oliver Stone
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 4 - The Cold War - 1945-1950
star
7.95
275 votes

#10 - Chapter 4 - The Cold War - 1945-1950

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/3/2012

The equation changes: specific month-by-month causes of the Cold War emerge and it is not entirely clear who started it. Highlights include Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, the civil war in Greece and the Red Scare that prompts the rise of Joseph McCarthy, the House Un-American Activities Committee and the FBI.

Watch Now:Amazon