Lessons
Lessons Overview
Award-winning video lessons, designed to drive engagement and improve historical understanding.
45 Video Lessons
130 Classroom Activities
1.1 World War One (in One Take)
A highly engaging overview of World War One in six minutes!
Run time: 05:27 Free lesson
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1.2 Whose Fault Was It?
We interview Europe’s leaders on the eve of war to explore the underlying tensions and rivalries.
Run time: 06:46
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1.3 The Slide To War
A fast-paced newscast charting the order and speed of events leading to the outbreak of war.
Run time: 01:54
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1.4 Why Did Men Sign Up?
Was it just for ‘King and Country’? We explore why men were motivated to sign up, and why they kept fighting.
Run time: 04:21
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1.5 Battle Of The Somme
General Sir Douglas Haig is in the spotlight to defend his strategy on the ill-fated first day of the Somme.
Run time: 04:21
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1.6 Weapons In The Trenches
Our panel of judges consider which weapons would be most effective on the Western Front.
Run time: 06:07
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1.7.1 Dulce Et Decorum Est
Explore the harsh realities of war with this iconic poem by Wilfred Owen
Run time: 01:17
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1.7.2 The Soldier
Rupert Brooke delivers a more optimistic view on the soldiers' experience
Run time: 02:47
2. World War Two
Topic Overview
2.1 World War Two (In One Take)
A highly engaging overview of World War Two in seven minutes!
Run time: 07:00 Free lesson
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2.2 Was Appeasement Right?
Neville Chamberlain defends his policy of appeasement towards Hitler in a cabinet debate.
Run time: 03:24
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2.3 Life On The Home Front
Visit London during the Blitz to see how life changed during the dangerous wartime years.
Run time: 05:13
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2.4 Who Really Defeated Germany?
Great Britain, the USA, and the Soviet Union stake their claim as the most significant ally.
Run time: 07:01
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2.5 Atomic Bomb Debate
Truman defends his decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki against competing opinions.
Run time: 02:46
3. Industrial Revolution
Topic Overview
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3.1 Industrial Revolution (In One Take)
From agriculture to industry, meet the pioneers who transformed Britain's economy and society.
Run time: 05:54
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3.2 Did Everyone Benefit?
Explore the impact of industrialisation on Britain's emerging class system.
Run time: 04:59
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3.3 Slavery Abolition Debate
William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Olaudah Equiano stake their claim for bringing about the abolition of slavery.
Run time: 06:37
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3.4 Why Did So Many Protest?
From the Luddites to the Suffragettes, we meet the protesters who made their voices heard in dangerous times.
Run time: 06:22
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3.5 Britain's Booming Empire
We explore the rise of the British Empire and consider how it was able to grow so quickly.
Run time: 03:50
4. 20th Century
Topic Overview
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4.1 20th Century (In One Take)
Navigate the highs and lows of the 20th century in this exciting six minute video!
Run time: 05:45
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4.2 Germany Under Hitler
Listen in on conversations amongst the German people to understand how Hitler was able to take power.
Run time: 05:16
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4.3 Britain Loses Her Empire
Explore the reasons for the collapse of the British Empire in the 20th century.
Run time: 04:33
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4.4 Cold War Tensions
Berlin ‘48, Cuba ‘62, or Vietnam? Which brought the world closest to another world war?
Run time: 09:18
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4.5 History Of The Olympics
Explore the political, social and economic impact of the Olympic Games.
Run time: 05;22
5. Medieval
Topic Overview
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5.1 The Middle Ages (In One Take)
Take a fast-paced tour through medieval England, starting with the Battle of Hastings in 1066!
Run time: 06:21
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5.2 The Peasants' Revolt
Did the effects of the Black Death help cause the Peasants' Revolt?
Run time: 02:43
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5.3 Perfect Medieval King
A group of barons review the merits and pitfalls of previous monarchs with the help of a court jester.
Run time: 06:14
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5.4 Medieval Castle Design
How will the panel of judges rate changing castle designs of the Middle Ages?
Run time: 06:06
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5.5 The Medieval Church
Visit a village and meet the locals to understand why the church was so central to medieval life.
Run time: 06:28
6. Early Modern
Topic Overview
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6.1 Tudors and Stuarts (In One Take)
From Henry VIII to William of Orange, we provide an exciting tour through Britain’s most iconic dynasties in six minutes.
Run time: 06:40
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6.2 The Reformation
The official religion of the country was changing repeatedly, but was the public really so quick to make radical changes?
Run time: 04:13
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6.3 Execution Of Charles I
Can our troubled protagonist bring himself to sign Charles I's death warrant?
Run time: 05:03
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6.4 Oliver Cromwell's Reputation
Join our investigative team as they dig up the reputation of one of Britain's most controversial figures.
Run time: 05:41
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6.5 The Witch Craze
This was the age of reason, so why did it also witness a rash of trials and executions for witchcraft?
Run time: 05:32
7. Cold War
Topic Overview
7.1 The Cold War (in One Take)
Take a dynamic tour through the Cold War, from the Potsdam Agreement to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Run time: 07:06 Free lesson
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7.2 Communism v Capitalism
Adam Smith and Karl Marx set up heated ideological debate between the USA and USSR.
Run time: 04:34
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7.3 East and West Berlin
Our intrepid reporter meets local people on both sides of the Berlin Wall to find out what life was like in a divided city.
Run time: 05:03
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7.4.1 Proxy Wars Pt. 1
The superpowers attempt to justify proxy wars from the Korean War to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Run time: 05:13
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7.4.2 Proxy Wars Pt. 2
The superpowers attempt to justify proxy wars from the Vietnam War to the Soviet-Afghan War.
Run time: 06:11
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7.5 The Arms Race
With a little inspiration from West Side Story, we chart the nuclear arms race between the USA and USSR.
Run time: 03:14
8. The British Empire
Topic Overview
8.1 The British Empire (In One Take)
Take a fascinating tour through the British Empire in just eight minutes!
Run time: 08:45 Free lesson
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8.2 What motivated Britain's first colonists?
Meet the colonists and learn about their motives for exploring and exploiting around the world.
Run time: 04:25
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8.3 How did the British Empire develop?
Meet those who resisted the rise of the British Empire in this engaging musical video.
Run time: 5:12
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8.4 What does the Slave Compensation Act tell us about the British Empire?
Join our investigative team as they uncover the truth about the Slave Compensation Act in 1837.
Run time: 6:01
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8.5 How did the British Empire dominate one fifth of the world?
British leaders go head-to-head with adversaries from across the expanding Empire.
Run time: 05:42
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8.6 What is the legacy of the British Empire today?
Join Chris and Nelufar in London to explore the impact of the British Empire on our lives today.
Run time: 07:02
9. Anglo-Saxons
Topic Overview
9.1 Anglo-Saxons (In One Take)
The history of the Anglo-Saxons, condensed into a seven minute rap.
Run time: 7:06 Free lesson
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9.2 Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from?
An investigative-style mini-documentary, interviewing new arrivals as they step off the boat from their long journey from Eastern Europe and into Suffolk.
Run time: 5:04
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9.3 What was Anglo-Saxon life like?
We meet people from a variety of backgrounds to learn more about their daily work and lifestyles. We explore Anglo-Saxon beliefs, burial customs, crafts and notions of class through the lens of a funeral for someone very important.
Run time: 6:53
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9.4 How did the Anglo Saxons rule?
We meet two of the most influential figures in Anglo-Saxon History: Alfred the Great and his daughter, Aethelflaed.
Run time: 5:31
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9.5 How do we know about the Anglo-Saxons?
With the help of Basil Brown, Nina Frances Layard and Ipswich Museum we look at how objects from the past help us better understand history today.
Run time: 6:03