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The story of the cold war proves that an individual can leave his or her mark on history. It is certain that the personalities of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union in those first post war years shaped history and plotted the path of world events. The second episode of this series examines how America solidified its position as a new superpower and how the Soviet Union, under the iron fist of Stalin, continued to spread the word of communism. Britain, exhausted by world war and lacking in resources, began to break up her Empire. Britain gradually reduced its position on the world stage and America stepped in to fill the void. At the same time the relationship that had developed between Russia and the US during the final stages of World War II slowly began to disintegrate as both sides grew to see the other as a threat to their respective ideals.

Stalemate: The Cold War: Part 2

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

51:45

The story of the cold war proves that an individual can leave his or her mark on history. It is certain that the personalities of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union in those first post war years shaped history and plotted the path of world events. The second episode of this series examines how America solidified its position as a new superpower and how the Soviet Union, under the iron fist of Stalin, continued to spread the word of communism. Britain, exhausted by world war and lacking in resources, began to break up her Empire. Britain gradually reduced its position on the world stage and America stepped in to fill the void. At the same time the relationship that had developed between Russia and the US during the final stages of World War II slowly began to disintegrate as both sides grew to see the other as a threat to their respective ideals.

The songs tell stories about the lives of Gurindji people who lived and worked at Wave Hill station before they began a protest against poor conditions in 1966.

Wajarra: Songs from the Stations

Years 9-10, 11-12 Indigenous Australians, Modern history, History

19:26

The songs tell stories about the lives of Gurindji people who lived and worked at Wave Hill station before they began a protest against poor conditions in 1966.

Could a series of giant standing stones constructed some 12,000 years ago in Turkey represent the beginnings of the first civilised society and the birth of religion?

Ancient X-Files: Dawn of Man

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Religious studies

45:12

Could a series of giant standing stones constructed some 12,000 years ago in Turkey represent the beginnings of the first civilised society and the birth of religion?

Historian and curator Lucy Worsley and Strictly Come Dancing star Len Goodman, take to the floor to reveal the untold story of British dance. This three part series offers a fascinating insight into British society, exploring how the nation's love of dance has always been more than just mastering the moves and feeling the rhythm. It's about sex and seduction, power and politics, economics and of course, romance. They explore how dancing went from being frowned upon as dangerous and debauched in the 17th century to being celebrated as an essential social skill in the 18th century.

Dancing Cheek to Cheek

Years 9-10, 11-12 Dance, History

59:02

Historian and curator Lucy Worsley and Strictly Come Dancing star Len Goodman, take to the floor to reveal the untold story of British dance. This three part series offers a fascinating insight into British society, exploring how the nation's love of dance has always been more than just mastering the moves and feeling the rhythm. It's about sex and seduction, power and politics, economics and of course, romance. They explore how dancing went from being frowned upon as dangerous and debauched in the 17th century to being celebrated as an essential social skill in the 18th century.

More than 600km long, Hitler's Siegfried Line was one of the greatest fortifications in warfare history. The campaign to breach it took more than six months and cost 140,000 American casualties.

Nazi Megastructures: Hitler's Siegfried Line

Years 9-10, 11-12 Design and technologies, Modern history, History

44:12

More than 600km long, Hitler's Siegfried Line was one of the greatest fortifications in warfare history. The campaign to breach it took more than six months and cost 140,000 American casualties.

The Cold War lies at the very heart of the story of the 20th century. This conflict reduced the world into the simplest of divisions - us versus them. But it was, to coin a phrase, a looking glass world. To cross to the other side was to see the same threats and evils somehow back to front and upside down. In both East and West the cold war world was a place where the man next door could be a spy, an informer; a place where hysteria and suspicion could be enough to prove guilt. In this six part series we examine the origins of this conflict and take a closer look at what motivated each side. In this first episode we focus on the early part of the 20th century and see how revolution in Russia and the aftermath of two world wars led to divisions and alliances between the worlds most influential governments. How were the seeds of the cold war conflict sown, and is there any truth to the view that the cold war was a threat created by governments on all sides to keep their populations in line?

Stalemate: The Cold War: Part 1

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

52:16

The Cold War lies at the very heart of the story of the 20th century. This conflict reduced the world into the simplest of divisions - us versus them. But it was, to coin a phrase, a looking glass world. To cross to the other side was to see the same threats and evils somehow back to front and upside down. In both East and West the cold war world was a place where the man next door could be a spy, an informer; a place where hysteria and suspicion could be enough to prove guilt. In this six part series we examine the origins of this conflict and take a closer look at what motivated each side. In this first episode we focus on the early part of the 20th century and see how revolution in Russia and the aftermath of two world wars led to divisions and alliances between the worlds most influential governments. How were the seeds of the cold war conflict sown, and is there any truth to the view that the cold war was a threat created by governments on all sides to keep their populations in line?

An exploration of the stories behind the resistance groups that formed to fight the Third Reich during World War II. These took many practical forms. Guerrilla forces of all sizes fought military actions against Axis troops; clandestine civilian organisations performed acts of sabotage or espionage; religious groups led acts of civil disruption and protest and underground presses spread prohibited ideas and information. Who were the men and women who made up the resistance movements?

Europe's Secret Armies: Germany: Resisting from Within

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

46:42

An exploration of the stories behind the resistance groups that formed to fight the Third Reich during World War II. These took many practical forms. Guerrilla forces of all sizes fought military actions against Axis troops; clandestine civilian organisations performed acts of sabotage or espionage; religious groups led acts of civil disruption and protest and underground presses spread prohibited ideas and information. Who were the men and women who made up the resistance movements?

Swapping a potentially easy life of retirement for a third voyage around the Pacific, the relationship between Captain and crew is severely tested as Cook leads his men on an expedition that if successful would dwarf everything he had so far achieved - discover and navigate the Northwest Passage. Sam Neill continues to follow the path of the Resolution, again via through New Zealand and Tonga onto Canada and Alaska, experiencing the Pacific as never before.

The Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook: The Northwest Passage

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Geography

48:19

Swapping a potentially easy life of retirement for a third voyage around the Pacific, the relationship between Captain and crew is severely tested as Cook leads his men on an expedition that if successful would dwarf everything he had so far achieved - discover and navigate the Northwest Passage. Sam Neill continues to follow the path of the Resolution, again via through New Zealand and Tonga onto Canada and Alaska, experiencing the Pacific as never before.

Relive Hitler's final days, detailed through never-before-seen interviews with the men and women who were with him during those last desperate moments.

The Day Hitler Died

Years 11-12 Modern history, History

46:42

Relive Hitler's final days, detailed through never-before-seen interviews with the men and women who were with him during those last desperate moments.

Just how did the cruise missile become the ultimate surgical attack weapon? This film tracks the flight of a Tomahawk cruise missile on an attack mission. At every key stage of its journey - launch, flight, targeting, impact - we uncover the roots of the technology that make this missile the awe-inspiring weapon it is today.

Machines of War

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, Design and technologies, History

1:01:11

Just how did the cruise missile become the ultimate surgical attack weapon? This film tracks the flight of a Tomahawk cruise missile on an attack mission. At every key stage of its journey - launch, flight, targeting, impact - we uncover the roots of the technology that make this missile the awe-inspiring weapon it is today.

Every nation involved in World War II recognised that maintaining the morale of the population was vital. Everywhere a great effort was made to offer entertainment, diversion and often to package it with the reassurance that the cause was just and victory certain. Radio and cinema were the great mass communicators of the day and we see examples of some of the performers and productions that helped to lighten the darkness of living in the shadow of war.

Living in the Shadow of World War Two

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

52:08

Every nation involved in World War II recognised that maintaining the morale of the population was vital. Everywhere a great effort was made to offer entertainment, diversion and often to package it with the reassurance that the cause was just and victory certain. Radio and cinema were the great mass communicators of the day and we see examples of some of the performers and productions that helped to lighten the darkness of living in the shadow of war.

This is the story of how American went to war - told with only media available at the time, in the last months of 1941. We follow reports on how most Americans want nothing to do with the war raging in Europe, and how the saber rattling by the Japanese in the Pacific was ignored. Despite pleas from military officials in Hawaii that the US Naval Base Pearl Harbor was in danger, no one paid much attention - until the early morning hours of December 7, 1941. Using extremely rare recordings of live coverage of the event, to following the breaking news Stateside, to the impassioned speech of U.S. President Roosevelt proclaiming that moment "a day that will live in infamy," The Pearl Harbor Tapes take viewers into the story of that fateful time in a way never done before in a documentary film - in real time. We have uncovered dozens of little-known archival sources that will contribute to making this one of the defining films of the Japanese attack and its aftermath.

The Lost Tapes: Pearl Harbor

Years 11-12 Modern history, History

51:07

This is the story of how American went to war - told with only media available at the time, in the last months of 1941. We follow reports on how most Americans want nothing to do with the war raging in Europe, and how the saber rattling by the Japanese in the Pacific was ignored. Despite pleas from military officials in Hawaii that the US Naval Base Pearl Harbor was in danger, no one paid much attention - until the early morning hours of December 7, 1941. Using extremely rare recordings of live coverage of the event, to following the breaking news Stateside, to the impassioned speech of U.S. President Roosevelt proclaiming that moment "a day that will live in infamy," The Pearl Harbor Tapes take viewers into the story of that fateful time in a way never done before in a documentary film - in real time. We have uncovered dozens of little-known archival sources that will contribute to making this one of the defining films of the Japanese attack and its aftermath.

Stories of warfare dominate history. On countless TV channels wars are constantly fought and re-fought. In this series we examine the strategies and decisions of these battles: the art of war. Warfare is said to have three levels: tactics, operations and strategy. Strategies of war can be traced back as far as the 6th Century BC with the emergence of the Chinese philosopher of war, Sun Tzu. Tzu presented his philosophies as simple universal truths, ideas that would appeal greatly to the leaders of many subsequent conflicts across the globe. For Sun Tzu the ultimate victory came from the war never fought, a victory won by game play and bluff where there were no casualties. In sharp contrast Karl Von Clausewitz, an 18th century military thinker, developed his own theory of war - the idea of absolute war, a conflict with no restraints. The arrival of the industrial age made this concept of total war a realistic prospect. Mass production led to mass armament and mass carnage. The world of science and invention had begun its journey into the dark heart of warfare and it was a journey that would bring into play ways of making war that Clausewitz and Sun Tzu could never have imagined.

Strategy: The Genius of Warfare: The Art of War - Theory and Tactics

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, Design and technologies, History

1:04:57

Stories of warfare dominate history. On countless TV channels wars are constantly fought and re-fought. In this series we examine the strategies and decisions of these battles: the art of war. Warfare is said to have three levels: tactics, operations and strategy. Strategies of war can be traced back as far as the 6th Century BC with the emergence of the Chinese philosopher of war, Sun Tzu. Tzu presented his philosophies as simple universal truths, ideas that would appeal greatly to the leaders of many subsequent conflicts across the globe. For Sun Tzu the ultimate victory came from the war never fought, a victory won by game play and bluff where there were no casualties. In sharp contrast Karl Von Clausewitz, an 18th century military thinker, developed his own theory of war - the idea of absolute war, a conflict with no restraints. The arrival of the industrial age made this concept of total war a realistic prospect. Mass production led to mass armament and mass carnage. The world of science and invention had begun its journey into the dark heart of warfare and it was a journey that would bring into play ways of making war that Clausewitz and Sun Tzu could never have imagined.

Europe's Secret Armies: The French Resistance Pt 1

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

51:23

A journey through the mythic landscape of Europe, revealing the origins of the most famous legends this continent has produced and exploring why they have endured so long.

Myths and Monsters: The End of All Things

Years 11-12 Literature, History

42:26

A journey through the mythic landscape of Europe, revealing the origins of the most famous legends this continent has produced and exploring why they have endured so long.

Tony Robinson does an entrance examination to see if he'd qualify as an acceptable migrant to Australia. From its earliest days, Australia needed free migrants to grow and prosper, and it needed women. Schemes were devised to achieve both objectives, with bounties offered for bringing boatloads of human cargo from the UK and Ireland. But the people merchants got greedy, and the human toll was terrible. Tony traces immigration and multiculturalism from the early 1800s, through the White Australia Policy, to the first arrival of Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s. He decides that the best way of exploring a country's diversity is to talk to taxi drivers. Alternative title: Tony Robinson Explores Australia.

Tony Robinson Down Under: Welcome to Australia

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Geography

51:58

Tony Robinson does an entrance examination to see if he'd qualify as an acceptable migrant to Australia. From its earliest days, Australia needed free migrants to grow and prosper, and it needed women. Schemes were devised to achieve both objectives, with bounties offered for bringing boatloads of human cargo from the UK and Ireland. But the people merchants got greedy, and the human toll was terrible. Tony traces immigration and multiculturalism from the early 1800s, through the White Australia Policy, to the first arrival of Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s. He decides that the best way of exploring a country's diversity is to talk to taxi drivers. Alternative title: Tony Robinson Explores Australia.

Around the world, bodies have been dug up with stakes, stones or knives driven through their hearts. One man suspects a link and goes on the trail of the world's oldest suspected vampires.

Ancient X-Files: Living Vampires

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Religious studies

45:12

Around the world, bodies have been dug up with stakes, stones or knives driven through their hearts. One man suspects a link and goes on the trail of the world's oldest suspected vampires.

Does Christ's crown of thorns, worn during Jesus' crucifixion, now reside in Paris? A Jesuit priest investigates a thorn from the Crown that appears to miraculously bleed.

Ancient X-Files: Crown of Thorns

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Religious studies

45:12

Does Christ's crown of thorns, worn during Jesus' crucifixion, now reside in Paris? A Jesuit priest investigates a thorn from the Crown that appears to miraculously bleed.

As American forces close in on Japan in 1944, the Japanese turn to desperate new tactics: killer planes, rocket bombs, and super torpedoes guided not by machines, but by human pilots.

Nazi Megastructures: Kamikaze Suicide Bombers

Years 9-10, 11-12 Design and technologies, Modern history, History

44:12

As American forces close in on Japan in 1944, the Japanese turn to desperate new tactics: killer planes, rocket bombs, and super torpedoes guided not by machines, but by human pilots.

Flood stories, similar to the Old Testament tale of Noah's Ark, appear in ancient cultures around the world. Now new archaeological evidence may reveal the cause and location of this great flood.

Ancient X-Files: The Great Flood

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Religious studies

45:11

Flood stories, similar to the Old Testament tale of Noah's Ark, appear in ancient cultures around the world. Now new archaeological evidence may reveal the cause and location of this great flood.

This episode deals with Cook's second voyage aboard the Resolution in search of the Great Southern Continent. He circumnavigates the Antarctic, without ever sighting land - an extraordinary achievement in a flimsy ship at such latitudes. During this feat he begins the painstaking process of filling in vast unknown areas on the Pacific map. Sam visits New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Norfolk Island before completing one of Cook's unfinished ambitions by touching down on Antarctica. For Sam this episode, in a much more intimate way, mirrors what many consider Cook's greatest achievement, the breadth and extent of the second voyage. In Sam's case, Antarctica is a first as is reaching the crater of a very active volcano, Mt Yasur. And significantly visiting Norfolk Island where standing in the ruins of its penal settlement Sam acknowledges an intersection of Pacific and Cook history with his own family in a startling revelation.

The Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook: The Great Southern Continent

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Geography

47:16

This episode deals with Cook's second voyage aboard the Resolution in search of the Great Southern Continent. He circumnavigates the Antarctic, without ever sighting land - an extraordinary achievement in a flimsy ship at such latitudes. During this feat he begins the painstaking process of filling in vast unknown areas on the Pacific map. Sam visits New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Norfolk Island before completing one of Cook's unfinished ambitions by touching down on Antarctica. For Sam this episode, in a much more intimate way, mirrors what many consider Cook's greatest achievement, the breadth and extent of the second voyage. In Sam's case, Antarctica is a first as is reaching the crater of a very active volcano, Mt Yasur. And significantly visiting Norfolk Island where standing in the ruins of its penal settlement Sam acknowledges an intersection of Pacific and Cook history with his own family in a startling revelation.

Sir Joseph Banks, naturalist, explorer, President of the Royal Society for more than 40 years and one of Australia's founding fathers, was among the most outstanding figures of the 18th and 19th centuries. He rose to fame when as a young botanist, accompanying Captain Cook on his circumnavigation and voyage of discovery to the Pacific Ocean, and yet a true picture of Banks' life has never emerged nor an appreciation of his enduring importance. This documentary features contributors with specialised knowledge of Banks' life, his epic journey of discovery and contributions to key scientific institutions.

The Lost World of Joseph Banks: Legacy

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Science

28:53

Sir Joseph Banks, naturalist, explorer, President of the Royal Society for more than 40 years and one of Australia's founding fathers, was among the most outstanding figures of the 18th and 19th centuries. He rose to fame when as a young botanist, accompanying Captain Cook on his circumnavigation and voyage of discovery to the Pacific Ocean, and yet a true picture of Banks' life has never emerged nor an appreciation of his enduring importance. This documentary features contributors with specialised knowledge of Banks' life, his epic journey of discovery and contributions to key scientific institutions.

An ardent Stalinist for many years, it was nevertheless Khrushchev who put an end to his predecessor's terror. He desires a peaceful accommodation of the contending systems (of global order) and he brings the world to the edge of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He builds the Berlin Wall. He is a reformer who is defeated both by the system and by himself. What remains is the memory of a shoe he pounded on a table during a UN General Assembly session. Stalin's terror, World War II, de-Stalinisation and the gravest crises of the Cold War - all this is closely entwined with Nikita Khrushchev.

Nikita Khrushchev: The Red Tsar

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

53:00

An ardent Stalinist for many years, it was nevertheless Khrushchev who put an end to his predecessor's terror. He desires a peaceful accommodation of the contending systems (of global order) and he brings the world to the edge of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He builds the Berlin Wall. He is a reformer who is defeated both by the system and by himself. What remains is the memory of a shoe he pounded on a table during a UN General Assembly session. Stalin's terror, World War II, de-Stalinisation and the gravest crises of the Cold War - all this is closely entwined with Nikita Khrushchev.

Having fulfilled his Admiralty brief Captain James Cook opted to tale the long way back to Britain so he could chart the East Coast of Australia and explore the mysterious land. The Aboriginal people showed more caution than their Polynesian counterparts upon the Endeavour's arrival seemingly indifferent to the strangers and wishing them gone. This understandable reticence was misinterpreted and later led to the myth of Terra Nullius Sam travels from Botany Bay up the east coast to Cooktown, learning about a country that far from being nobodies' land was comprehensively inhabited by a well-established culture.

The Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Geography

48:03

Having fulfilled his Admiralty brief Captain James Cook opted to tale the long way back to Britain so he could chart the East Coast of Australia and explore the mysterious land. The Aboriginal people showed more caution than their Polynesian counterparts upon the Endeavour's arrival seemingly indifferent to the strangers and wishing them gone. This understandable reticence was misinterpreted and later led to the myth of Terra Nullius Sam travels from Botany Bay up the east coast to Cooktown, learning about a country that far from being nobodies' land was comprehensively inhabited by a well-established culture.

Myths and Monsters: Change and Revolution

Years 11-12 Literature, History

45:34

A journey through the mythic landscape of Europe, revealing the origins of the most famous legends this continent has produced and exploring why they have endured so long.

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