1. Paul Robeson,1898-1976: Singer, Actor, and Civil Rights Activist
On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: In the 1930s, he was one of the best known and most widely honored black Americans. Later in his life he was condemned for supporting communism and the Soviet Union. First of two parts.

From Voice of America Learning English (Script only)

2. Martin Luther King, Jr., Part 1
On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: He led the protest movement to end injustice in the Montgomery, Alabama, city bus system. It marked the beginning of the civil rights movement in the United States. First part of a two-part series.

From Voice of America Learning English (Audio and script)

3. Nina Simone, 1933-2003: Singer was Active in the Civil Rights Movement
Simone wrote the song “Young, Gifted and Black.”

From Voice of America Learning English (Audio and script)

1. After World War Two, US Reacts to ‘Iron Curtain’ Across Europe
On THE MAKING OF A NATION: The goal was to stop Soviet aggression anywhere in the world. Truman was willing to use military force, but considered it equally important to build up western European nations to defend themselves.

From Voice of America Learning English (script only)

2. American History: The Cold War
The Cold War got its name because both sides were afraid of fighting each other directly.

From Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

3. American History: The Space Race
The world’s first satellite was called Sputnik 1. Sputnik was an important propaganda victory for the Soviets in the Cold War with the United States.

From Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

1. The Great Depression: Fear Took Hold as an Economy Came Apart
On THE MAKING OF A NATION: Following the stock market crash of 1929, a large part of the richest nation on earth learned what it meant to be poor. Thousands lost their homes. Millions lost their jobs.

From Voice of America Learning English (script only)

2. From Great Depression’s Depths, Creativity Reached New Heights
On THE MAKING OF A NATION: Hard times have always offered a rich source of material for artists. For example, the most popular sound in America in the 1930s was a new kind of music — swing.

From Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

3. Similarities, but also Big Differences, between Today’s Crisis and 1930s
This downturn is bad, but rates of unemployment and bank failures do not compare to the Great Depression.

From Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

1. Native Americans Fight Two Wars Over Land Rights
General George Custer and all 200 Army soldiers under his leadership were killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn. It was the worst defeat for the American Army in 100 years.

From Voice of America Learning English (Script only)

2. American History Series: Indian Wars
The Sioux Indian fighter Rain-in-the-Face was one of the most feared and respected Native American warriors of the late 19th century. Some say he killed General George Custer.

From Voice of America Learning English (Audio and script)

1. Reconstruction: After the Civil War, the American South Rebuilds
This period in United States history was marked by several incidents involving violations of the public trust. But, at the same time, historic changes were made to the Constitution.

From Voice of America Learning English (script only)

2. American History Series: President Lincoln is Shot at Ford’s Theater
Lincoln was murdered less than a week after the North’s victory in the Civil War.

From Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

3. American History Series: Rebuilding the South
Radical Republicans sent their supporters from the North to organize southern blacks for their party. Southern whites had a name for them: ”carpetbaggers.”

From Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

1. How the Western United States Was Settled

In the late 1800’s, white Americans expanded their settlements in the west. They claimed land from Native Americans. The life of a farmer was hard, but technology proved helpful.

From Voice of America Learning English (script only)

2. A Rolling History of American on the Move
Ships, trains, cars, planes — a look at how transportation systems have helped keep a nation going.

From Voice of America Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

3. American History: Gold, Land Drives Settlers West
The discovery of gold in California helped to speed development of the western United States.

From Voice of America Voice of America Learning English (audio and script)

1. The Making of a Nation 11: American/British Relations After the French and Indian War
Differences over land ownership and religion led to mistrust between European settlers and Indian tribes. The arrival of diseases from Europe further damaged relations.

From Voice of America Learning English (script only)

2. America’s ‘Lost Colony’: A Story Whose Ending Remains to Be Written

In 1587, more than 100 people from Britain arrived at Roanoke Island. Three years later, they were gone — but to where?

From Voice of America Special English (audio and script)

3. American History Series: Britain Says No to No Taxation Without Representation
The relations between the American colonies and Britain after the French and Indian War about two hundred fifty years ago.

From Voice of America Special English (audio and script)

4. American History Series: The Heart and Spirit of the Constitution
The debate about a constitution for the whole nation.

From Voice of America Special English (audio and script)