Soviet Union: The Rise and Fall - Part 2

Historic Soviet battles to repel invaders set the stage for a saga that redrew the map of Eastern Europe and parts of Asia in the 20th century. In the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution, Communist Russia faced the threat of Nazi aggression. 1940s-era film footage exposes the brutal reality of total war as the Red Army and Soviet civilians confront a ruthless and tenacious foe. The ensuing decades are clouded by tensions between the USSR and foreign powers, accompanied by violent measures taken to silence voices of dissent. Ultimately, the Soviet people's longing for greater freedom drives reform and leads to the dissolution of the USSR.