Secondary Catalogue

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

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

The word ‘Anzac’ holds an important place in contemporary Australian political and cultural consciousness. This video looks into the origins of the Anzac spirit and the role it has to play in shaping modern Australian society. Students will learn about the ways in which the ANZACs are commemorated, and hear a range of opinions on what ‘Anzac’ means for the Australians of today. 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 gold rush began just over 60 years after Europeans arrived to Australia, but how did this decade transform the cultural, political, environmental, and economic threads of the nation? Ronan takes viewers through the construction of ‘10-mile towns’ which lead to the expansion of settlements throughout the country, the new wealth experienced in communities, as well as changes made to the natural landscape and the impacts on Indigenous connection to land and use of resources. Also explained is the birth of multiculturalism – including how the racism experienced at the goldfields enabled the White Australia Policy, as well as the birth of democracy in our parliament as a result of the Eureka Stockade. Show Less

The democracy all Australians enjoy today began at the goldfields… but how? Ronan guides students through the events that led up to the Eureka Stockade at Bakery Hill in Ballarat. Students will discover that the government’s greed and expensive miner’s license fee led to outrage from the diggers, and the unfortunate death of James Scobie at the Eureka Hotel followed by the acquittal of James Bentley led to growing tension on the goldfields. Discover how Peter Lalor and the Ballarat diggers led a 20-minute battle that shaped Australia’s political system and gave a voice to the people in colonies through parliamentary elections. Show Less

How did the Australian gold rush begin in 1851? Who kicked it off? Where did it occur, and why is gold so valuable? Join Ronan, an Irish digger come to try his hand at striking rich, as he explores the beginning of gold fever in Australia including the role of Edward Hargraves, the countries from which hopeful miners rushed, and the various roles played by Aboriginal Australians during the period. Students will also learn about the locations that put gold on the Australian map including Ballarat and Bendigo, as well as the catalysts that acted as drivers of diggers out of their homes and onto the shores of Australia such as Ireland’s famine. Show Less