The Birth of a New America

The film opens with a brief discussion of the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt's presidency and the New Deal. After crediting Roosevelt for his bold, sweeping economic policies, the filmmakers, using footage of rioting, striking American workers, accuse European Communists of exporting revolution to the United States and advocate greater military preparedness as insurance against world war. The film then chronicles events of World War I, including the invasion of Belgium and France in 1914, the entrance of Great Britain and Italy into the war, President Woodrow Wilson's request to Congress to join the war effort in 1917, and the German surrender. The exploits of the German and Allied armies, navies, marine and air corps are shown. The weapons, ordnance and fighting techniques of these groups, including mountain and trench warfare and aerial bombing, are highlighted. The development of such weapons as aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, zeppelins, military airplanes, anti-aircraft guns, poisonous gas, depth bombs and English tanks, and the importance of these weapons to the war's outcome are discussed at length. Particular military outfits, such as the 103rd Infantry and the all-black army units, are featured. The jazz music of the black soldiers and the theatrical diversions of the white soldiers are presented. Also seen are non-combative participants in the war, including the Salvation Army and various medical workers. German prisoners of war, helping to treat American wounded, are shown. Highlighted individuals include American aviation ace Eddie Rickenbacker, General John J. Pershing and King George V. After this examination of World War I, the filmmakers present their views on the likelihood of future war and make predictions on the nature of future warfare. The film concludes with an endorsement of Roosevelt's military policies.