Reconstruction problems in Europe in the aftermath of World War II. Examples of prewar Germany's industrial and commercial prowess, showing its consumer products and famous cameras. A German coal-burning power plant and miners extracting coal from Germany's vast natural supplies. Coal being transported by conveyer belt. Open rail cars loaded to capacity with German coal. A German iron and steel plant dependent on coal. Shift to postwar destruction including destroyed: German factory; locomotive; rail yards; trucks; farm machinery; fertilizer plant; farm fields lacking crops. Shift to prewar era with view of British coal cars getting ready to be emptied for export to Europe. Current postwar view of British coal cars and coal, that narrator says are barely enough for her own needs. View of prewar German coke being loaded onto conveyers. Coal miners receiving food ration cards. Animated map showing "Iron Curtain," of Soviet occupation, separating traditional German regions of agriculture from those of industry. British Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin; French Foreign Minister, Georges Bidault; Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov; and U.S. Secretary of State, George Marshall; are seen at the Paris Conference in 1946 where they negotiated the postwar future of Germany. Reminder footage of Hitler with brownshirts in 1930s. Italian police coping with communist inspired unrest in Italy. Bombed out buildings in snow. Europeans literally scratching for bits of food from pavement and trash heaps. Two women fighting with each other during time of shortages and ration. Dejected woman. French Communist party leader, Maurice Thorez, speaking to a large crowd. Party flag with hammer and sickle behind him.
Soviet Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrey Vyshinsky (aka Andrei Vishinsky), making an impassioned speech, in 1948. Adolf Hitler making one of his bombastic speeches, during World War II. Animated map of Europe, showing countries becoming puppet states under post-World War 2 expansionism by the Soviet Union. It also highlights unrelenting Soviet hold over postwar zones of occupation in Austria and East Germany. The map goes on to illustrate expanding communist reflected in politics of Italy, France, Greece, and Finland.
The 1956 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. A large number of delegates gathered at the convention. The delegates carry placards with names of various states on them. Signs read 'California', 'Tennessee', 'Texas', 'Indiana'. A man speaks into a microphone as he introduces Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois as the Democratic nominee for Presidential election.
The 1956 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. A man addresses the convention from a podium. Delegates carry placards of different states at the convention. Another man speaks into the microphone. Senator John F. Kennedy at the podium as he addresses the delegates. Senator Estes Kefauver and his wife at the podium after he won the nomination for Vice President. Kefauver waves to the crowd. The delegates carry posters and placards. Former President Harry S. Truman speaks into the microphone. Senator Kefauver and his wife at the podium. Presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson on the podium. Truman with Stevenson and Kefauver. Senator Kennedy on the podium with Democratic nominees. Photographers take pictures. Adlai Stevenson and his family on the podium.
King Alexander of Yugoslavia and French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou are assassinated in Marseilles, France. On his state visit to France, the king was greeted by the French foreign Minister Louis Barthou. King Alexander and Louis Barthou seen riding in an open car as it moves along the streets of Marseilles. People gather to greet them. The motorcade stops and police are seen responding, after a Bulgarian conspirator shoots the King and the Foreign Minister. Buildings along the sides of the street. People running on the street and close-ups of police surrounding the shooter and pushing back crowds. The assassin is grabbed and beaten by police. View of a the body of King Alexander beside the car with people surrounding, in his final moments near death. Final scene shows the new monarch in Yugoslavia, eleven year old King Peter II, eating a plate of food and smiling for the camera.
Death of German President Paul von Hindenburg. Remains of Paul von Hindenburg on bed. Soldiers and German officials stand in formation at the Tannenberg Memorial, in Hohenstein, East Prussia (11-015 Olsztynek, Poland). Troops and officials give tribute to the President during his State funeral.
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