Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

D'Souza at the halfway house

The film opens with scenes of Dinesh D'Souza at the halfway house where he was confined after being convicted of making an illegal political contribution. These opening moments establish D'Souza's personal circumstances and set up his role as the guide leading the audience through the documentary's investigation.

Where

Halfway house

Revealing secrets in the DNC basement archive

D'Souza descends into a basement archive of the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, where he begins to reveal secrets of the party's history. This sequence marks the film's shift into a critical examination of the Democratic Party, outlining its origins and tracing its record from Andrew Jackson to the present day.

Where

DNC Headquarters

Andrew Jackson's racist legacy

The documentary closely examines the racism of President Andrew Jackson, one of the founders of the Democratic Party. D'Souza presents Jackson's prejudices as a defining influence on the young party and a stain on its founding era.

When

Andrew Jackson's presidency

Expulsion of Native Americans

The film describes how Jackson and the Democratic Party passed legislation that brutally expelled Native Americans from their land. It connects these policies directly to the creation of the reservation system, framing both as foundational injustices committed by the party.

When

1830s

Defending and spreading slavery

The film offers a political analysis of the Democratic Party's historical record in both the North and South of supporting and defending the institution of slavery. It further accuses the party of working to ensure that slavery spread into the western territories of the country.

When

Pre-Civil War era

Where

Northern and Southern United States

The founding of the Republican Party

D'Souza traces the emergence of the Republican Party, which he personally suggests was founded as a reaction to the Democratic Party's support of slavery. The film highlights the Democrats' endorsement and defense of fugitive slave laws as a key spark behind the new party's creation.

When

1850s

Opposing the Reconstruction Amendments

The documentary argues that the Democratic Party opposed the Reconstruction Amendments to the United States Constitution. In the film's telling, this resistance demonstrated the party's continuing hostility toward the rights of newly freed African Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War.

When

Reconstruction era

Ties to the Ku Klux Klan

The film contends that the Democratic Party maintained close ties to the Ku Klux Klan throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Among its accusations is that Democratic President Woodrow Wilson supported the Klan and racial segregation, while also opposing anti-lynching legislation.

When

19th and 20th centuries

Blocking Black advancement

According to the film, Democratic leaders manipulated New Deal legislation in the 1930s to keep African Americans from benefiting from its programs. It then argues that the party likewise opposed the civil rights legislation of the 1960s, continuing what D'Souza presents as a long pattern of obstruction.

When

1930s and 1960s

Debunking the 'party switch'

The film takes on the common argument made by Democratic leaders that the parties 'switched positions,' with the Democratic Party becoming progressive and Southern racists becoming Republicans. D'Souza rebuts this claim by arguing that fewer than 1 percent of Southern Democrats who opposed civil rights legislation actually changed parties.

The 'new plantation system'

The documentary examines the Democratic Party's use of social welfare programs and machine politics, particularly in urban areas. D'Souza argues these tools were wielded to create what has been described as a new plantation system, enabling the party to exploit and coerce the residents dependent on them.

Where

Urban areas

The rise of Saul Alinsky

The film turns to the rise and activities of radicals such as community organizer Saul Alinsky, scrutinizing his methods and ideology. D'Souza argues that Alinsky's influence profoundly shaped both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The case against Hillary Clinton

Building on the alleged Alinsky connection, the film proceeds to examine and criticize the actions of Hillary Clinton. D'Souza uses this segment to question her ethics, honesty, and motivations as a political figure.

A patriotic musical finale

The final 15 minutes of the film consist of renditions of three songs, opening with 'God Bless America' sung by Deborah 'Debbie' Fancher, D'Souza's then-recently married wife. A young girl backed by an orchestra performs 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' and the Gatlin Brothers close with 'Stand Up and Say So,' with the first two songs interspersed with stock footage of Americana and Revolutionary War imagery.

When

Final 15 minutes of the film

Post-credits classroom scene

In a post-credits scene, Dinesh D'Souza appears in front of a classroom, where he is shown teaching immigrants English as a second language as a form of community service. He tells the students, 'So how will you know when you have become an American? You'll know, when you become a Republican,' prompting applause from the class.

When

Post-credits

Where

Classroom