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

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

In 1803, a British expedition sailed around Port Phillip Bay and in 1835, a free settler colony was founded in Melbourne. This video describes conditions in the Melbourne settler colony, citing primary sources on conditions in the settlement and interactions between settlers and Indigenous people, and features commentary from academics from the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. An informative, curriculum-aligned video for middle secondary students of History. Show Less

In January, 1788, the First Fleet sailed into Botany Bay and the first British colony in Australia was established at Port Jackson. This video describes conditions in the Sydney penal colony, citing primary sources on the landing and conditions in the settlement, and features commentary from academics from the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. An informative, curriculum-aligned video for middle secondary students of History. Show Less

Between 1788 and 1868, Britain transported more than 160 000 convicts to Australia as punishment for a variety of crimes. This video explores the terrible conditions on the ships used for the journey, citing primary sources on the experiences of convicts in the First and Second Fleets as well as those of free settlers. An informative, curriculum-aligned video for middle secondary students of History. Show Less

From today's perspective, transportation seems a brutal and extreme way to punish criminals, but there were a number of factors that made it seem like a good idea in 18th century Britain. This video provides historical context about the motivations for transportation, discussing the Agricultural Revolution, crime and punishment in Britain, European imperialism and the demand for natural resources. An informative, curriculum-aligned video for middle secondary students of History. Show Less

Colonisation was not only about taking land and resources for imperial powers, but also about seeking to convert, or ‘civilise’, indigenous people to European ways of thinking. This video explores the impact of Christian missions on the culture and daily lives of Indigenous Australians, featuring commentary from academics from the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. An informative, curriculum-aligned video for middle secondary students of History. Show Less

When the British invaded the Australian continent in 1788, it ended a way of life that had existed for more than fifty thousand years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This video explores the profound impact of European settlement on Indigenous Australians, featuring commentary from academics from the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. An informative, curriculum-aligned video for 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 Australia’s modern history including the granting of voting rights for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous women and the first women in parliamentary roles. 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