The series is a re-examination of some of the under-reported and darkest parts of American modern history using little known documents and newly uncovered archival material, looking beyond official versions of events to the deeper causes and implications and exploring how events from the past still have resonant themes for the present day. This episode addresses the historical backround, consequences and reasons behind the use of atomic bombs against the Japanese in the second world war.

Directed, produced, and narrated by Oliver Stone. In this episode we will see how 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.

Eisenhower and the CIA played a great part in the shaping of the world in the 1950's; the development of the Cold war and the nerve-wrecking battle against communism, driven on by the U.S.

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.

Stone opens the episode on Vietnam with a review of American intervention in Latin America. Lyndon Johnson, according to Stone, disregarded JFK’s “memo” about withdrawing troops and instead escalated. The Cataclysm in Vietnam as the war reaches a turning point - there's no going back. The betrayal by Richard Nixon.

Carter's dreams of change give way to Ronald Reagan. Gorbachev redeems Reagan and fresh opportunities for peace arise. The debate over Reagan's legacy.