History of the United States II / Unit 14 USH2 1955 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Peace Corps
Captions available
The idea
On March first, nineteen sixty-one, Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order, and Congress formally authorised it that September, the National Archives records.
In practice
Young volunteers bound for projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Where people slip
The anchor calls the volunteers a form of Cold War soft power. Digital History counts some one hundred fifty thousand who have served.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
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