Secondary Catalogue

Three people were integral to the fate of the Aztec people upon their meeting with the Spaniards: 9th emperor of the Mexica people, Moctezuma II, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and, lesser recognised but equally important, La Malinche, the invaluable native translator who aided Cortés’ bloody defeat of the empire. This video delves into the stories of each of these three people, providing excellent context to the period for students of History. Show Less

The quick and brutal demolition of the Aztec people, infrastructure and records was aided by the technological advancements of the conquistadors and the diseases they brought. This video considers the weapons, animals and allegiances used by the Spanish to defeat the Aztecs, the disease that played into their favour, and what happened to Tenochtitlán and its surviving inhabitants after the defeat. An excellent introduction to the Aztecs for students of History. Show Less

Seeking gold and riches, Hernán Cortés led a fleet of 11 Spanish ships to Mexico in 1518. This video investigates the reasons for Spanish expansion to the Americas and the series of resulting events that culminated in not only the destruction of Tenochtitlán, the most glorious city in the Aztec lands, but the destruction of the entire Aztec civilisation. An excellent introduction to the Aztecs for students of History. Show Less

The Aztecs were part of a rich and complex religious tradition that had existed in Mesoamerica for thousands of years. This video describes Aztec beliefs and values, discussing gods, temples and human sacrifice, the importance of the warrior for Aztec identity, and the influence of the Toltecs on Aztec art, architecture and mythology. An excellent introduction to the Aztecs for students of History. Show Less

The Aztecs were a magnificent civilisation who quickly established the largest and most powerful empire in Mesoamerica. This video explores the origins of the Aztec Empire from the 12th century, when the Aztecs departed from their native homeland, through to the 16th century, when the population of Tenochtitlán outnumbered that of London. An excellent introduction to the Aztecs for students of History. Show Less

Everyone in Tenochtitlán played a vital role in maintaining not only Aztec cultural traditions, but also the Aztec Empire overall. This video looks at life in the Aztec capital, covering the history and infrastructure of the city, the pyramid structure of Aztec society and the education received by young Aztecs. An excellent introduction to the Aztecs for students of History. Show Less

After Scotland signed a treaty with France, England’s Edward I launched an invasion of Scotland in retaliation, thus beginning the Anglo-Scottish wars of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. What ensued was a series of battles and rebellions, each more brutal than the last as weaponry and military strategy continued to advance. Examining the major battles and players, this video is essential viewing for students of Scottish history. Show Less

It is clear from the events of thirteenth and fourteenth centuries that allegiances and treaties—signed, broken or declared null and void—were central to either the protection or loss of Scottish sovereignty, which teetered on a knife’s edge for much of the period. Clear and concise, this video dives deeper into the Treaties of Birgham and Edinburgh-Northampton, the Auld Alliance and the Declaration of Arbroath, and the contribution of each to Scottish national identity and consciousness. Show Less

The national turmoil started by the death of Alexander III and fueled once more by the death of the Maid of Norway saw Scotland enter an era of fierce competition for the throne. This video examines the major players in this rivalry, including John Balliol, William Wallace, Andrew Murray, and the unrelenting King Edward I, and the battles that ensued between them. Clear and concise, this is essential viewing for students of Scottish history. Show Less

The thirteenth century was a time in which the unfortunate demises of two young rulers led to several creative attempts to maintain Scotland’s newly won independence. The arranged marriages of both Alexander III and his granddaughter Margaret, Maid of Norway, sought to protect Scottish sovereignty, but neither tragedy nor lack of heirs had been factored into these well-meaning plans. Clear and concise, this video is essential viewing for students of Scottish history. Show Less

Ancient Rome was an openly patriarchal society that adopted and adapted Hellenic culture, including many of the Greeks’ negative attitudes towards women. This video explores life for women at all levels of society in the Roman Empire, spotlighting historical figures such as Livia Drusilla, Agrippina the Younger and Boudicca. An excellent introduction to ancient Roman society and culture for junior to middle secondary students of History. Show Less

Despite being advanced in many ways, ancient Greece gave few rights to its women. This video explores life for ancient Greek women, examining life in Athens and Sparta, spotlighting historical figures such as Aspasia and Gorgo, as well as the role of female figures in Greek mythology. An excellent introduction to ancient Greek society and culture for junior to middle secondary students of History. Show Less

The Persian Empire was renowned for its tolerance and Persian women were considered to be the equal of men. This video explores life for ancient Persian women, including ordinary working women, royal women and women of the Persian military, spotlighting historical figures such as Irdabama and Artemisia. An excellent introduction to ancient Persian society and culture for junior to middle secondary students of History. Show Less

Although women in Egypt enjoyed many freedoms under the law compared to women in many other ancient societies, most did not lead independent lives. This video explores life for ancient Egyptian women, both common and royal, spotlighting historical figures such as Merit Ptah, Sobekneferu, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra. An excellent introduction to ancient Egyptian society and culture for junior to middle secondary students of History. Show Less

Christopher Columbus’ expeditions to North America in 1492 marked the beginning of huge changes to the populations of the continent and the spread of division. This video explains how the establishment of European colonies in North America led to the American Revolution, which in turn resulted in the establishment of the independent nation of the United States of America. Informative and evocative viewing for senior secondary history students. Show Less

19th-century America was characterised by societal divisions: North and South, men and women, Republic and Democrat, Black and White. This video covers key events in American 19th-century history, including the Louisiana Slave Revolt, the Missouri Compromise, the Removal Act, the abolitionist and women’s rights movements, the election of Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War. Informative and evocative viewing for senior secondary history students. Show Less

Divisions between science and religion, and conservatism and progressivism, have been present in American society since the 19th century. This video explores the conflict between religious beliefs and scientific theory through the case of the 1925 Scopes trial, touching on Darwin’s theory of evolution, the rise of fundamentalism and the continued debate around the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Informative and evocative viewing for senior secondary history students. Show Less

The deepest and most historically consistent division between people in America has been along racial lines. This story of how medical doctor Ossian Sweet came to be on trial after shootings at his Detroit home in September 1925, helps to illustrate and explain the strong racial tensions at this time, as well as the activities and beliefs of the Ku Klux Klan. Show Less

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw huge numbers of immigrants travelling to the United States. This video explores American attitudes towards immigrants through the case of the 1920 Sacco and Vanzetti murder trial, highlighting the treatment of immigrant workers, Italian anarchists and World War I, anti-immigrant legislation and immigration quotas. Informative and evocative viewing for senior secondary history students. Show Less

The passing of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, recognising women’s voting rights, in 1920 was the culmination of a decades-long struggle. This video explores the role of women in the US and the movement for women’s rights in the late 19th and 20th centuries, touching on the suffrage movement, Prohibition, flappers, and the Equal Rights Amendment. Informative and evocative viewing for senior secondary history students. Show Less

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8 – but why is this day important? What does the day signify? This Miniclip explores the origins of women’s suffrage throughout the United Kingdom’s modern history including the impact of World War I on women's rights and the granting of voting rights for women. It also discusses damaging stereotypes for both girls and boys, the presence of gender inequality that still exists today, and how to celebrate the women in your own life. Show Less

Warning: This video contains an image of a mass grave. Teacher discretion is advised. In the mid-18th century, Great Britain had formed thirteen colonies on the North American east coast. This would soon be where a revolution took place, where colonies would fight against their motherland, Great Britain. In this film, we will show events such as the seven year long war, the Boston Tea Party and the origin of the Declaration of Independence. We learn concepts such as triangular trade, the Founding Fathers, separatists and federalists. How is it that thirteen small colonies in North America were able to succeed – against a global power such as Great Britain? And what was life like afterwards for the citizens of the new country, the United States? How did Native Americans and slaves fare? In this film we will learn about the American Revolution, the War of Independence. Show Less

Man on the Bus is the true story of Martha, a Polish survivor of the Holocaust, who led a double life in Australia and her daughter Eve, a psychologist and filmmaker, who discovered the truth. The film follows Eve finding clues – in old recordings, a street directory and in Martha’s home movies, a mystery man is seen gazing into the lens. Eve’s investigation leads her to the Sobieski Castle in the Ukraine, the site of a massacre in which her maternal grandmother died. After her husband was executed, Martha was forced into hiding. Eve also traces her father’s amazing and heroic escape from a concentration camp. In Melbourne, Eve’s parents rebuild their shattered lives. However, their quest for normality is disrupted by a chance encounter on a bus that changes everything. Man on the Bus becomes a compelling tale of two defining human traits—endurance and frailty—and a metaphor for the 20th century’s most painful trauma. Show Less

In this short animation, students learn how civil rights lawyer, activist and politician Nelson Mandela helped end apartheid in South Africa and brought a divided country together through showing respect for difference. When children learn about inspirational people who embody key global competencies and traits, like equality, empathy, curiosity and communication, they are inspired to become the change they want to see. Show Less

The First World War was fought on a scale never seen before. This video investigates the many and complex causes of this global conflict. Pupils will learn about the system of alliances that contributed to the powder keg that was Europe in 1914, as well as the spark that ignited the Great War that would embroil nations around the globe. Show Less