Season 1
Between the Wars surveys the political dynamics and diplomatic crises that defined the interwar period, tracing the events that unfolded between World War I and World War II.
Episode Guide
President Woodrow Wilson's idealistic hopes for world peace through collective security clash at Versailles with Europe's harsh old-world realpolitik, which sought to punish Germany. The resulting punitive treaty effectively sows the seeds of World War II. The narrative includes mini-biographies of Wilson and his enigmatic behind-the-scenes adviser, Colonel Edward House, whose influence compromised Wilson's ideals. Wilson is struck by influenza during a crucial negotiating window, a startling setback that forces concessions. Though he is forced to compromise, he returns home to champion the ratification of the League of Nations.