Hello and welcome! This section contains a summary of what I've watched and where to find it on YouTube or Amazon. Some documentaries may be available on Netflix too. Everything is divided out into sections with bold headings to make things easier to find. Both American and World History documentaries are featured on this list. If there is 15+ documentaries on a single topic or time period or by a single historian, they may be pulled out and given it's own page that way readers do not have to do too much scrolling. You can find extra topics in the drop down menu under the YouTube. These videos are in no particular order. * means that there is a worksheet for the documentary. ** means they have my recommendation and what purpose.
Ancient World
World of Stonehenge - VIDEOS UNAVAILABLE
Neil Oliver explores Ancient British History in this series. He starts with the impact of the Ice Age, how tools shaped the culture of early Britons, and concludes with the impact of bronze on society. He discusses how Britain was attached to Europe and how rising water levels turned it into an island. Britain has many ancient sites hidden in its landscape and Neil explains what they know about the sites well. *Recommend for a middle school and high school classroom.*
Mystery of Atlit-Yam - YouTube (48:54)
In 1984, off Israel’s Mediterranean coast, Ehud Galili discovered a settlement that has been hidden under the sea for centuries. The seas were the highways of the ancient world. The seas covered this settlement. As underwater digging went on, the biggest and best-preserved prehistoric site was discovered. There were numerous houses, temples, altars, and tombs discovered. This film documents the story of this settlement. *Recommended for a world history classroom.*
The Persian Army that Vanished - YouTube (48:41)
The Persian army lead by King Cambyses vanished in the desert sands. In an oasis, Egyptians looked out to see an army coming. However, this army never made it. They were buried by a sandstorm. Now one archeological team is determined to find what remains of the army. Was this a true story? Or was it a legend? In the 1930s there were attempts to look for Cambyses' army however nothing was found. In 1996 arrowheads were discovered which reignited the search. Will the mystery be solved? *Recommended for middle and high school classrooms.*
The Lost African Metropolis of Mapungubwe - YouTube (50:44)
The Lost African Metropolis of Mapungubwe is about the ancient African Kingdom that was on the northern border of South Africa. It was in the Limpopop Valley, and this valley divides Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Many clues are still buried in the ground, and these clues can tell the story of the Mapungubwe Metropolis. It was the largest known settlement in Africa. *Recommended for college history and archeology classrooms.*
Ancient Athens - YouTube (51:47)
Athens rose 500 years before the birth of Christ. Its impact on history was large. Fine arts and sciences blossomed. The most famous philosophers taught in Athens. The people gave the world a new type of government: democracy. This documentary follows the story of a woman who lived in Athens. She was a woman of wealth and beauty, however, her pride led her to danger. What was life like for this woman in Athens? *Recommended for a history classroom, show clips in a STEM classroom.*
Ancient Carthage - YouTube (52:08)
Carthage was Rome’s greatest rival. It was a Phoenician trading base in the Mediterranean Sea and was a city of seafarers. Carthage was the greatest trading base in the Mediterranean Sea. It was a city that inspired envy and hatred around the world. It was a city built on trade and fishing. It is where Africa meets Europe, where the past and present collide. In 180 BC Marco is going to go on a voyage that will have an impact on his life. *HIGHLY recommended for a history classroom.*
Ascent of Civilization - Phoenicians - YouTube (51:16)
Carthage was famous for its purple dye. They were traders who controlled the Mediterranean Coast for thousands of years. They left behind an alphabet. They were known as master shipbuilders. However, they had a reputation for child sacrifice. They were known as the Phoenicians by Homer. Their greatest enemy was the Romans. So who were the Phoenicians? Why did they become so powerful? *HIGHLY recommended for a history classroom. Recommended for an English Classroom.*
The Secret of the Phaistos Code - YouTube (51:22)
The Minoans have been considered Europe’s first advanced civilization. However, there are a group of skeptics calling this history into question. Some skeptics examined the artifacts and feel that some of those artifacts are fake. It is the tale of two archeologists: one archeologist Arthur Evans makes sensational discoveries at Knossos. The other is Luigi Pernier and he does not find anything spectacular until he finds the Phaistos disk. On it was Europe’s oldest form of writing: or was it? If this is a hoax, who was behind this hoax? *Recommended for a history classroom.*
Carthage's Lost Warriors - YouTube (53:22)
Deep in the jungles of South America, a bronze ax has been found. It was a cult object from the time before Columbus. The only problem is that it should not be there. Is it possible that warriors from the old world came to South America? Did they journey throughout South America? Relics and mummies conceal baffling mysteries. Over the years there has been evidence that old-world warriors made their way to South America and joined up with local tribes. *Recommended to be shown in a history classroom or for independent study students.*
For Athens -Episode 1 (50:59) Episode 2 (52:54)
In this two part documentary, Athens and its fight against the Persian Empire is explored. The Persians lead by King Darius the Great has dominated the Middle East. He ruthlessly puts down rebellions through his empire. Rebels appeal to the Greeks for help and the Athenians obliged. This starts off a long fight between the Persians and the Greeks which ends in the ultimate defeat of the Persian Empire at the hands of the Greeks. How did Athens do it? Why did the Persian Empire Fall? *Highly recommended for a history classroom.*
The Ascent of Civilization - Greece (50:31)
Democracy. The Olympic Games. The Ancient Greeks established these earmarks of civilization. Greece is in the Mediterranean world. Island got the sea around Greece. There are extensive olive groves and oak forests on the mainland. About 3,000 years ago the Greeks began here. Greece was made up of city-states and they were at constant loggerheads. The only thing these city-states have in common was their language and their gods. So, what made this place the home of a great civilization? *Recommended for high school and college students.*
Alexander the Great - Episode 1 (43:54) Episode 2 (43:51)
Alexander the Great was history’s greatest commander. He came from a kingdom that would start as politically irrelevant, however, that would change with King Philip. King Philip’s son, Alexander the Great would continue to expand what his father started. Alexander the Great expanded Macedonia to Egypt and India. He was the world’s greatest conqueror of all time. He was the first European to establish an empire. He enjoyed the battle. So who was the real Alexander the Great?
The Egtved Girl - YouTube (52:54)
The Egtved Girl is a preserved Bronze-Age woman that was found in Denmark. She was buried with a child. She was a young lady and went on a journey. She is a brave young woman going out on the journey on her own. Her death will solve a mystery. What caused her to leave home? What did she experience on her journey? Did she have to rely on other people’s hospitality? Whom did she meet on her way? What does her death tell us about the Bronze Age Society? *Recommended for a high school history class.*
Angkor Wat Rediscovered - YouTube (53:02)
Over 150 years ago, the ruins of Angkor Wat were discovered. There have been few answers about Angkor Wat in the decades following their discovery. How was it built? Who built it? Why was it built? How did it reach its size? What was the temples’ real purpose? Where was the heart of the city? Why was it abandoned? There have been many theories over the years. Today with technology and new archeological digs on the site, there may be new answers about Angkor Wat. *Recommended for a STEM class, not for a history class.*
Crime Scene Eulau - The Mystery of the 13 Skeletons - YouTube (43:44)
There was a discovery made in a quarry at Eulau, not far from Naumburg, Germany. The discovery was a Neolithic grave that contained the skeletons of three women, two men, and eight children. These people were buried carefully in this grave. What happened to these people? Why were they buried in such a careful way? What can their graves tell us about Neothlic burial practices? *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a history and a science classroom.*
The Dark Secrets of the Black Sea - YouTube (55:05)
An international group of experts looks at the Black Sea. They are looking for evidence of a civilization found at the bottom of the Black Sea. There is evidence of civilizations that called the Black Sea home. Why was the Black Sea called the Northern Cradle of Civilization? How was the Black Sea created? What is the real history of the Black Sea? Who are the people who called the Black Sea home? *DO NOT SHOW THIS DOCUMENTARY TO A HISTORY CLASS OR A SCIENCE CLASS.*
Lost Worlds Series
The Forgotten Empire - YouTube (49:24)
Lost Worlds explores the ruins of Persepolis. It was the richest city in the Ancient World. It was the capital of the Persian Empire, until it was destroyed by Alexander the Great. Lost Worlds recreates Persepolis using computer graphics and the archeological records. The Persian Empire was a largely forgotten empire until Iran opened up. Now archeologists have been welcomed and they are learning new things about the Persian Empire. Now they are getting a better picture of what the Persian Empire was like. *Recommended for middle and high school classrooms.*
City of the God Kings - YouTube (49:34)
Lost Worlds explores Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat was first discovered by a French naturalist on a search for bugs. What he found surprised him. He believed that it rivaled anything Rome and Greece gave to the world. He had discovered the 900-year-old remains of Angkor Wat, the "Holy Temple." Why was it built? Why was it in the middle of a jungle? Who built it? What is its purpose? It is an enigma. There are many theories about its construction. *Highly recommended for both a middle school and history classroom.*
Search for Troy - YouTube (49:53)
For centuries, archeologists have tried to find Troy. It was a city lost to the ages. Troy was the site of the Trojan War and the fight over Helen of Troy. It was a store that was retold over centuries. However, did the city of Troy exist? One archeologist believed that he discovered Troy. That satisfied most of the world except for professional archeologists. Now a team goes back to the site of this discovery to see what can be found about Troy and the Trojan War. *Highly recommended for a history class room with a potential application for an English classroom.*
Lost Kingdoms of Africa
Nubia - YouTube (58:36)
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the Lost Kingdoms of Africa. His first lost kingdom is Nubia. The history of Africa was not written down all the time. However, the people of Africa preserved their culture through objects. Nubia was the traditional name of Northern Sudan. The civilization dominated the area in the Sahara. For the Egyptians, they were a source of slaves and treasures. For the Romans, the Nubians were barbarian people. The Nubians were ultimately defeated by their environment. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Ethiopia - YouTube (58:50)
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the lost kingdom of Ethiopia. In 1974, the Ethiopian military rose against the king and deposed him. It brought to an end one of the world’s longest dynasties. The Ethiopians remember their empire proudly. King Menelik II fought back against any attempts to invade it and make it a colony. Gus wants to go back to ancient times to try to find the secrets of the Ethiopian empire. What will he find? What made the Ethiopians so independent? *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Great Zimbabwe - YouTube (51:10)
Great Zimbabwe was discovered in 1871. A German geologist stumbled upon some splendid ruins. He had no idea who built the stone structure. He assumed that they were not built by Africans. However, that myth has been dispelled. Could Great Zimbabwe be the equivalent of El Dorado? Gus Casely-Hayford travels the length of Africa to discover the secrets of Great Zimbabwe. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
West Africa - YouTube (48:88)
Gus Casely-Hayford begins at the British Museum. He is exploring the Kingdom of Benin. When the British discovered the artifacts they did not believe they were carved by Africans. However, they are not carvings, they were copper cast. Copper casting is a difficult skill to masters and the fact that Africans mastered it baffled Europeans for ages. Where did the Benin people learn these skills? How did they manufacture these artifacts? Gus goes to Nigeria to find out. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Zulu - YouTube (58:33)
In Eastern South Africa, there was a battle. It was where the British army was humiliated. The British had the latest in war-making technology and they were defeated by an army armed with spears and old muskets. They were brought down by the Zulu empire. Gus Casely-Hayford explores the people beyond that story. The Zulu were a peaceful people, more interested in raising cattle than war. How did the Zulu rise to power? *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Berbers of Morocco - YouTube (58:54)
The Berbers turned the northwest corner of Africa into a kingdom. The Sahara Desert has one of the harshest climates in the world. It is an unlikely location for an empire. However, the Berbers did it. This empire stretched from the Sahara to Spain. This kingdom lasted for centuries. The Berbers left their mark on this stretch of desert. How did the Berber nomads create an empire in the desert? *Not recommended for a history or independent study students.*
Neil Oliver explores Ancient British History in this series. He starts with the impact of the Ice Age, how tools shaped the culture of early Britons, and concludes with the impact of bronze on society. He discusses how Britain was attached to Europe and how rising water levels turned it into an island. Britain has many ancient sites hidden in its landscape and Neil explains what they know about the sites well. *Recommend for a middle school and high school classroom.*
Mystery of Atlit-Yam - YouTube (48:54)
In 1984, off Israel’s Mediterranean coast, Ehud Galili discovered a settlement that has been hidden under the sea for centuries. The seas were the highways of the ancient world. The seas covered this settlement. As underwater digging went on, the biggest and best-preserved prehistoric site was discovered. There were numerous houses, temples, altars, and tombs discovered. This film documents the story of this settlement. *Recommended for a world history classroom.*
The Persian Army that Vanished - YouTube (48:41)
The Persian army lead by King Cambyses vanished in the desert sands. In an oasis, Egyptians looked out to see an army coming. However, this army never made it. They were buried by a sandstorm. Now one archeological team is determined to find what remains of the army. Was this a true story? Or was it a legend? In the 1930s there were attempts to look for Cambyses' army however nothing was found. In 1996 arrowheads were discovered which reignited the search. Will the mystery be solved? *Recommended for middle and high school classrooms.*
The Lost African Metropolis of Mapungubwe - YouTube (50:44)
The Lost African Metropolis of Mapungubwe is about the ancient African Kingdom that was on the northern border of South Africa. It was in the Limpopop Valley, and this valley divides Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Many clues are still buried in the ground, and these clues can tell the story of the Mapungubwe Metropolis. It was the largest known settlement in Africa. *Recommended for college history and archeology classrooms.*
Ancient Athens - YouTube (51:47)
Athens rose 500 years before the birth of Christ. Its impact on history was large. Fine arts and sciences blossomed. The most famous philosophers taught in Athens. The people gave the world a new type of government: democracy. This documentary follows the story of a woman who lived in Athens. She was a woman of wealth and beauty, however, her pride led her to danger. What was life like for this woman in Athens? *Recommended for a history classroom, show clips in a STEM classroom.*
Ancient Carthage - YouTube (52:08)
Carthage was Rome’s greatest rival. It was a Phoenician trading base in the Mediterranean Sea and was a city of seafarers. Carthage was the greatest trading base in the Mediterranean Sea. It was a city that inspired envy and hatred around the world. It was a city built on trade and fishing. It is where Africa meets Europe, where the past and present collide. In 180 BC Marco is going to go on a voyage that will have an impact on his life. *HIGHLY recommended for a history classroom.*
Ascent of Civilization - Phoenicians - YouTube (51:16)
Carthage was famous for its purple dye. They were traders who controlled the Mediterranean Coast for thousands of years. They left behind an alphabet. They were known as master shipbuilders. However, they had a reputation for child sacrifice. They were known as the Phoenicians by Homer. Their greatest enemy was the Romans. So who were the Phoenicians? Why did they become so powerful? *HIGHLY recommended for a history classroom. Recommended for an English Classroom.*
The Secret of the Phaistos Code - YouTube (51:22)
The Minoans have been considered Europe’s first advanced civilization. However, there are a group of skeptics calling this history into question. Some skeptics examined the artifacts and feel that some of those artifacts are fake. It is the tale of two archeologists: one archeologist Arthur Evans makes sensational discoveries at Knossos. The other is Luigi Pernier and he does not find anything spectacular until he finds the Phaistos disk. On it was Europe’s oldest form of writing: or was it? If this is a hoax, who was behind this hoax? *Recommended for a history classroom.*
Carthage's Lost Warriors - YouTube (53:22)
Deep in the jungles of South America, a bronze ax has been found. It was a cult object from the time before Columbus. The only problem is that it should not be there. Is it possible that warriors from the old world came to South America? Did they journey throughout South America? Relics and mummies conceal baffling mysteries. Over the years there has been evidence that old-world warriors made their way to South America and joined up with local tribes. *Recommended to be shown in a history classroom or for independent study students.*
For Athens -Episode 1 (50:59) Episode 2 (52:54)
In this two part documentary, Athens and its fight against the Persian Empire is explored. The Persians lead by King Darius the Great has dominated the Middle East. He ruthlessly puts down rebellions through his empire. Rebels appeal to the Greeks for help and the Athenians obliged. This starts off a long fight between the Persians and the Greeks which ends in the ultimate defeat of the Persian Empire at the hands of the Greeks. How did Athens do it? Why did the Persian Empire Fall? *Highly recommended for a history classroom.*
The Ascent of Civilization - Greece (50:31)
Democracy. The Olympic Games. The Ancient Greeks established these earmarks of civilization. Greece is in the Mediterranean world. Island got the sea around Greece. There are extensive olive groves and oak forests on the mainland. About 3,000 years ago the Greeks began here. Greece was made up of city-states and they were at constant loggerheads. The only thing these city-states have in common was their language and their gods. So, what made this place the home of a great civilization? *Recommended for high school and college students.*
Alexander the Great - Episode 1 (43:54) Episode 2 (43:51)
Alexander the Great was history’s greatest commander. He came from a kingdom that would start as politically irrelevant, however, that would change with King Philip. King Philip’s son, Alexander the Great would continue to expand what his father started. Alexander the Great expanded Macedonia to Egypt and India. He was the world’s greatest conqueror of all time. He was the first European to establish an empire. He enjoyed the battle. So who was the real Alexander the Great?
The Egtved Girl - YouTube (52:54)
The Egtved Girl is a preserved Bronze-Age woman that was found in Denmark. She was buried with a child. She was a young lady and went on a journey. She is a brave young woman going out on the journey on her own. Her death will solve a mystery. What caused her to leave home? What did she experience on her journey? Did she have to rely on other people’s hospitality? Whom did she meet on her way? What does her death tell us about the Bronze Age Society? *Recommended for a high school history class.*
Angkor Wat Rediscovered - YouTube (53:02)
Over 150 years ago, the ruins of Angkor Wat were discovered. There have been few answers about Angkor Wat in the decades following their discovery. How was it built? Who built it? Why was it built? How did it reach its size? What was the temples’ real purpose? Where was the heart of the city? Why was it abandoned? There have been many theories over the years. Today with technology and new archeological digs on the site, there may be new answers about Angkor Wat. *Recommended for a STEM class, not for a history class.*
Crime Scene Eulau - The Mystery of the 13 Skeletons - YouTube (43:44)
There was a discovery made in a quarry at Eulau, not far from Naumburg, Germany. The discovery was a Neolithic grave that contained the skeletons of three women, two men, and eight children. These people were buried carefully in this grave. What happened to these people? Why were they buried in such a careful way? What can their graves tell us about Neothlic burial practices? *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a history and a science classroom.*
The Dark Secrets of the Black Sea - YouTube (55:05)
An international group of experts looks at the Black Sea. They are looking for evidence of a civilization found at the bottom of the Black Sea. There is evidence of civilizations that called the Black Sea home. Why was the Black Sea called the Northern Cradle of Civilization? How was the Black Sea created? What is the real history of the Black Sea? Who are the people who called the Black Sea home? *DO NOT SHOW THIS DOCUMENTARY TO A HISTORY CLASS OR A SCIENCE CLASS.*
Lost Worlds Series
The Forgotten Empire - YouTube (49:24)
Lost Worlds explores the ruins of Persepolis. It was the richest city in the Ancient World. It was the capital of the Persian Empire, until it was destroyed by Alexander the Great. Lost Worlds recreates Persepolis using computer graphics and the archeological records. The Persian Empire was a largely forgotten empire until Iran opened up. Now archeologists have been welcomed and they are learning new things about the Persian Empire. Now they are getting a better picture of what the Persian Empire was like. *Recommended for middle and high school classrooms.*
City of the God Kings - YouTube (49:34)
Lost Worlds explores Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat was first discovered by a French naturalist on a search for bugs. What he found surprised him. He believed that it rivaled anything Rome and Greece gave to the world. He had discovered the 900-year-old remains of Angkor Wat, the "Holy Temple." Why was it built? Why was it in the middle of a jungle? Who built it? What is its purpose? It is an enigma. There are many theories about its construction. *Highly recommended for both a middle school and history classroom.*
Search for Troy - YouTube (49:53)
For centuries, archeologists have tried to find Troy. It was a city lost to the ages. Troy was the site of the Trojan War and the fight over Helen of Troy. It was a store that was retold over centuries. However, did the city of Troy exist? One archeologist believed that he discovered Troy. That satisfied most of the world except for professional archeologists. Now a team goes back to the site of this discovery to see what can be found about Troy and the Trojan War. *Highly recommended for a history class room with a potential application for an English classroom.*
Lost Kingdoms of Africa
Nubia - YouTube (58:36)
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the Lost Kingdoms of Africa. His first lost kingdom is Nubia. The history of Africa was not written down all the time. However, the people of Africa preserved their culture through objects. Nubia was the traditional name of Northern Sudan. The civilization dominated the area in the Sahara. For the Egyptians, they were a source of slaves and treasures. For the Romans, the Nubians were barbarian people. The Nubians were ultimately defeated by their environment. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Ethiopia - YouTube (58:50)
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the lost kingdom of Ethiopia. In 1974, the Ethiopian military rose against the king and deposed him. It brought to an end one of the world’s longest dynasties. The Ethiopians remember their empire proudly. King Menelik II fought back against any attempts to invade it and make it a colony. Gus wants to go back to ancient times to try to find the secrets of the Ethiopian empire. What will he find? What made the Ethiopians so independent? *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Great Zimbabwe - YouTube (51:10)
Great Zimbabwe was discovered in 1871. A German geologist stumbled upon some splendid ruins. He had no idea who built the stone structure. He assumed that they were not built by Africans. However, that myth has been dispelled. Could Great Zimbabwe be the equivalent of El Dorado? Gus Casely-Hayford travels the length of Africa to discover the secrets of Great Zimbabwe. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
West Africa - YouTube (48:88)
Gus Casely-Hayford begins at the British Museum. He is exploring the Kingdom of Benin. When the British discovered the artifacts they did not believe they were carved by Africans. However, they are not carvings, they were copper cast. Copper casting is a difficult skill to masters and the fact that Africans mastered it baffled Europeans for ages. Where did the Benin people learn these skills? How did they manufacture these artifacts? Gus goes to Nigeria to find out. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Zulu - YouTube (58:33)
In Eastern South Africa, there was a battle. It was where the British army was humiliated. The British had the latest in war-making technology and they were defeated by an army armed with spears and old muskets. They were brought down by the Zulu empire. Gus Casely-Hayford explores the people beyond that story. The Zulu were a peaceful people, more interested in raising cattle than war. How did the Zulu rise to power? *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
Berbers of Morocco - YouTube (58:54)
The Berbers turned the northwest corner of Africa into a kingdom. The Sahara Desert has one of the harshest climates in the world. It is an unlikely location for an empire. However, the Berbers did it. This empire stretched from the Sahara to Spain. This kingdom lasted for centuries. The Berbers left their mark on this stretch of desert. How did the Berber nomads create an empire in the desert? *Not recommended for a history or independent study students.*
Dark and Middle Ages
The Emperor's Lost Harbor - YouTube (41:48)
Istanbul is a city of 17 million people, spread over two peninsulas. Only two bridges and several ferries serve those 17 million people who cross the Bosporus straight. The Turkish Government is looking to build a train under the Bosporus to help with people crossing the straights. The tunnel will have to be put fifty meters under the surface. This would be the deepest tunnel in the world. However, as the tunnel was put into place there have been amazing finds that tell us about the history of the harbor in Istanbul. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history classroom.*
536 AD: The Year The Sun Disappeared Episode 1 (49:15) Episode 2 (49:28)
The year 536 AD was the year dubbed the “year without something.” This was an event that terrified the people. The sun went dark and the rain the color of blood poured from the skies. Winter gripped the land for two years. Drought, famine, and plague followed. Whole cities were whipped out and civilization crumbled. What happened? What was going on? This catastrophe affected the people around the world and nobody knew the answers until now. *Highly recommended for a history and a science class.*
Dark Ages: An Age of Light - Episode 1 (59:11) Episode 2 (59:29) Episode 3 (59:14) Episode 4 (59:53)
Was the Dark Ages an Age of Light? What happened when the Roman Empire collapsed? This shocking question is one that historian Waldemar Januszczak will answer. He travels around Europe, Africa, and Asia to discover the hidden secrets of the Dark Ages. Waldemar makes the argument that the Dark Ages were an age of light and artistry. The art never lies, the Dark Ages were not an age of darkness but an age of light. *First episode recommended for art history class and not recommended for a history class.*
She Wolves: England's Early Queens - Helen Castor - Episode 1 (58:34) Episode 2 (59:02) Episode 3 (1:12:42)
Helen Castor tells the stories of England's early Queens. The first episode covers two women: Matilda and Eleanor. Matilda was supposed to be England's first Queen. Then she covers Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou. Both of these women went to war to keep their families on the English Throne. Then she concludes the series with Jane Grey, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. *Recommend for using clips in a history classroom and for independent study students.*
Medieval Lives - A Good Birth, Marriage, Death - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Helen Castor uses the Paxton family story to explore how the medieval period dealt with birth, marriage, and death. She starts off the series with Margaret Paxton preparing to give birth. Castor discusses how religion was tied into birth, marriage, and death. She then traces the Paxton’s marriage and finally concludes with death. It is a fascinating look at Medieval lives. *Highly recommend for middle school and high school classrooms as well as for independent study students or clips.*
*Search for Alfred the Great: VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Neil Oliver explores the search for the grave of King Alfred the Great, the only British King who had the title "The Great." Oliver tells the story of what happened to the bones as well as the story of Alfred the Great. Scientists have been exploring a set of bones to determine whether or not they belong to Alfred the Great. It is an excellent look at the life of Alfred the Great. *Highly recommend for a middle school and high school history class.*
The Vikings - Episode 1 (44:49) Episode 2 (43:51) Episode 3 (44:05)
Norway was the early cradle of the Vikings, the last barbarians. How did they dominate the seas and waterways of Europe? These warriors traveled around the globe. They created trade networks and built kingdoms. However, their origins are mysterious. Modern archeologists are determined to find the origins. So what made them feared warriors? What made them skilled storytellers? What made the Vikings kingdom builders? Who were the Vikings? *Highly recommend for a middle school and high school history class.*
The Last Journey of the Vikings - Episode 1 (49:55) Episode 2 (49:32) Episode 3 (49:52) Episode 4 (49:58)
The Last Journey of the Vikings is a docudrama series about the Viking People. They traveled widely and shaped European politics. What is the truth about the Vikings? In the Eighth Century, the Vikings started appearing along the coasts of Europe. With their fierce warriors, they gained a reputation as Europe’s terrorizers. They targeted monasteries because the monks could not defend themselves. Eventually, the Vikings’ strategy changed. They mixed with the powerful. So why did the Vikings become pirates? How did they spread their influence over Europe? Tune into this documentary to find out. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school classroom. Highly recommended to mine for clips.*
Ascent of Civilization - The Vikings - YouTube (50:31)
The Vikings discovered America 500 years before Columbus and revolutionized exploring and trading. The Vikings lived in the north of Europe in widely scattered communities. The Romans called it Scandinavia. It was a land of fire and ice. In the beginning, the Vikings lived peacefully along the coastlines. That changed when they started to terrorize Europe. No man, woman, or child was safe from Viking raids. So how did this group of seafarers change Europe? *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a high school history class.*
William the Conqueror - YouTube (51:39)
This is the story of William the Conqueror. He made his mark in history by invading England in 1066. Who was the real William the Conqueror? The primary source records are scarce when it comes to William's history. When was William the Conqueror born? What were his motivations for invading England? He goes down in history as a brave man but was he really that brave? What was he really like? This docudrama is a dramatic retelling of William the Conqueror’s Story. *Highly recommended for research purposes as well as a fun history day viewing.*
Marco Polo - YouTube (50:43)
It is the 13th Century and Marco Polo is going to embark on a voyage to China. However, doubts exist that he made it to China. The scale of his adventures defies belief and his account becomes a best seller of the Middle Ages. Is there legitimate proof that Marco Polo was in China? Even on his death bed, he hinted that he had only told half the story. Today, historians are looking at the documents to prove that he was there. Who was the real Marco Polo? *Highly recommended for research and a history classes.*
Women Who Made History - Joan of Arc - YouTube (50:27)
Joan of Arc liberated France. She challenged soldiers, generals, and the church. It was May of 1429 and Joan was leading her soldiers against the English holding a fortress. If the French took control of the fort, the Orleans would be free. The English had been on French soil for decades and now the French were rising against them to take control of France again. Joan of Arc was leading those French soldiers to victory. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and for independent study students.*
The Hanseatic League - YouTube (43:27)
Recovering the Traces of the Hanseatic League explored the seas three hundred years before the Portuguese started exploring. Not all ships made it back. Ships, storms, and pirates could sink these ships. The Hanseatic League was founded in the 1200s. They were a trading organization. They were a trading network that had extensive contacts in Europe. They focused on the Baltic Sea and what remains of this league is found on the bottom. What can these wrecks tell us about the Hanseatic League?
The Renaissance The Age of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci - Episode 1 (42:25) Episode 2 (42:25)
Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Square is the most impressive monument of the Renaissance. IT is the largest cathedral in the world. Just think, it would have been impossible to construct such a building in the Middle Ages. The knowledge was just not there. Then the Renaissance happened, and knowledge started to flow. Their knowledge would have enabled people to build such structures as Saint Peter’s. What were their secrets? *Recommended for both an art and history class.*
Ivan the Terrible: Russia's First Tsar - YouTube (52:23)
He was orphaned as a child. He was brought up in a system of political violence. He liberates Russia from foreign leaders. He committed his first murder at the age of thirteen. He was the first Tsar of Russia. Was he a harsh ruler who demanded absolute loyalty? Or was he an intellectual? Who is the real Ivan the Terrible? A criminal profiler looks for those answers. Additionally, Ivan’s face will be reconstructed during this documentary. *Highly recommended for a high school history class and for research purposes.*
The Cranachs - YouTube (42:27)
They are two of the greatest artist of the 16th Century, Lucas and Lucas Cranach. They ran a workshop and produced some of the greatest works of the Reformation. They made their fortune painting. The pair were personal friends of Martin Luther. They painted more and faster than any of their contemporaries. Generations of scholars have studied the Cranachs’, however, there are still questions that have to be answered. Today, modern technology may have scholars find the answers they are looking for. * Recommended for an art class and independent study students.*
The Machine that Made Us - YouTube (58:56)
Stephen Fry examines the story of Johann Gutenberg, the genius who invented the printing press. He was the man who launched the first media revolution and launched the modern world. Fry helps make a working medieval printing press. However, Gutenberg’s story is mysterious and Fry hopes that by recreating a printing press he will get to grips with the man. Will Fry succeed in making a working printing press? Who was Johann Gutenberg? *Recommended for a history class as well as a science class because of the experimental history aspect.*
How To Get Ahead - Renaissance Court -YouTube (59:18)
Stephen Smith explores Florence and the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo Medici. Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the Medici Family. They were a family of bankers who turned into royals. They were the patrons of the arts and finer things of life. Artists and thinkers flourished in the Medici Court. Cosimo was a man interested in the finer things in life. He was a man who reigned during the same time as Henry VIII. He was the man who wrote the book on how to be a Renaissance Prince. *Use for clips, not recommended to be shown in class.*
Marco Polo: A Very Modern Journey - Episode 1 (47:38) Episode 2 (47:58) Episode 3 (47:57)
Marco Polo journeyed the far reaches of the Mongol Empire. He started in 1271 and his journals reveal an exotic world of riches. How could he have done it? What did he learn about the east? How would his journey look today? Professor Quguang Zhao follows in Marco Polo’s footsteps. Follow the professor as he begins his journey from Venice to the East. What will the professor learn about Marco Polo? *Not recommended for a classroom nor recommended for research purposes.*
Charlemagne - Episode 1 (50:42) Episode 2 (50:14) Episode 3 (51:56)
Charlemagne was the most important Emperor of the Middle Ages. The story begins with a monk gathering wood for a fire. He was a scholar in Charlemagne’s court and was his friend. He is the narrator of Charlemagne’s story. He was crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. He was the most powerful ruler of his time. Even the pope was intimidated by him. He was superhuman. However, what is a myth, and what is reality? *Recommended for the history classroom and research purposes.*
Europe in the Middle Ages - Episode 1 (52:30) Episode 2 (54:22) Episode 3 (51:56) Episode 4 (52:23)
The Middle Ages were often considered a dark and dreary time. Four estates lived during this time: knights, monks, peasants, and beggars. This series follows the lives of people from each level of society. You will see the Middle Ages through their eyes. What was the reality of that? However, it is a time when the modern age was born. So what can we discover about the Middle Ages through these groups? Was the Middle Ages all that dark? *Highly recommended for the middle school history classroom.*
Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty
Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty is about the Plantagenet Family, one of the more dysfunctional English dynasties. They ruled England for 400 years. This dynasty is the inspiration behind Game of Thrones. This series is presented by Dan Jones who is a journalist and historian.
Henry II - YouTube: (44:52)
Dan Jones explores the rule of King Henry II. He explores how he ruled, Thomas Beckett, and his fights with his family. Henry II was a control freak. This led to his wife and sons betraying him. The church also challenged Henry II, which led to Thomas Beckett’s murder in the cathedral. This is a fascinating docu-drama on the Plantagenet family. Dan Jones tells the story well. *This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes, for a high school history class, or to mine for clips.*
Henry III - YouTube (44:48)
Dan Jones explores the rule of King Henry III, and how his rule ended up with the establishment of the Parliament. King Henry III and Simon de Montfort were best friends. However, they fell out and it caused a revolution in England. This revolution led to Parliament’s establishment. Parliament would set limits on the king. It is a fascinating look at how Parliament was established. *This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes and for clips in a high school history class.*
Edward II - YouTube (44:27)
Dan Jones explores the beginning and the end of King Edward II, the first English king who was forced to abdicate his throne. King Edward II’s friendship with Piers Gaveston led the nobles to intervene. This resulted in King Edward II taking revenge on those nobles with his new friend Hugh Despencer. King Edward II’s wife, Queen Isabella lead troops against King Edward to overthrow him and put her son on the throne. *This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes.*
Richard II - YouTube (45:05)
Dan Jones explores the Tyranny of Richard II and how his end kicked off the Wars of the Roses. King Richard II became king as a child. When he became an adult, he took the throne for himself. Unfortunately, the death of his wife led him to become a tyrant. This was unacceptable to the nobles who tried to fight back. His cousin, Henry Bollingbrook, decided to depose King Richard and become King himself. This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes.*
The Germans Series
This is a German-produced documentary series about the history of the German people. Several of the episodes have been translated into English and made available through YouTube. It is an excellent look at the history of Germany and the German people.
Charlemagne and the Saxons: YouTube (42:48)
The Germans kick off with the story of Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first European Empire builder. He conquered the Saxon people and spread Christianity throughout the Frankish Empire. The Saxons challenged him, however, they came to accept his kingship. He built grand buildings to help demonstrate his power. This is an excellent summary of what Charlemagne accomplished during his reign. *Highly recommend for a middle school and high school history classroom.*
Otto and The Empire: YouTube (42:51)
Otto of Saxony was a German duke who helped forge the Holy Roman Empire. He united the Germans to fight the Magyars. Otto then put down rebellions and created laws. His second marriage caused controversy among the people. He went to Rome to be crowned the Holy Roman Emperor. This is another excellent documentary about German History. *Highly recommend it for a middle school and high school history classroom.*
Barbarossa and the Lion: YouTube (41:30)
Barbarossa the Holy Roman Emperor and Henry of Saxony, his rival for power in what would eventually become Germany. They were cousins who would challenge each other. Barbarossa believed his crown put him above all the German dukes and kings. Henry of Saxony disagreed with that and tried to demonstrate his power through a building program. *Highly recommend it for middle school and high school history students interested in research.*
Istanbul is a city of 17 million people, spread over two peninsulas. Only two bridges and several ferries serve those 17 million people who cross the Bosporus straight. The Turkish Government is looking to build a train under the Bosporus to help with people crossing the straights. The tunnel will have to be put fifty meters under the surface. This would be the deepest tunnel in the world. However, as the tunnel was put into place there have been amazing finds that tell us about the history of the harbor in Istanbul. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history classroom.*
536 AD: The Year The Sun Disappeared Episode 1 (49:15) Episode 2 (49:28)
The year 536 AD was the year dubbed the “year without something.” This was an event that terrified the people. The sun went dark and the rain the color of blood poured from the skies. Winter gripped the land for two years. Drought, famine, and plague followed. Whole cities were whipped out and civilization crumbled. What happened? What was going on? This catastrophe affected the people around the world and nobody knew the answers until now. *Highly recommended for a history and a science class.*
Dark Ages: An Age of Light - Episode 1 (59:11) Episode 2 (59:29) Episode 3 (59:14) Episode 4 (59:53)
Was the Dark Ages an Age of Light? What happened when the Roman Empire collapsed? This shocking question is one that historian Waldemar Januszczak will answer. He travels around Europe, Africa, and Asia to discover the hidden secrets of the Dark Ages. Waldemar makes the argument that the Dark Ages were an age of light and artistry. The art never lies, the Dark Ages were not an age of darkness but an age of light. *First episode recommended for art history class and not recommended for a history class.*
She Wolves: England's Early Queens - Helen Castor - Episode 1 (58:34) Episode 2 (59:02) Episode 3 (1:12:42)
Helen Castor tells the stories of England's early Queens. The first episode covers two women: Matilda and Eleanor. Matilda was supposed to be England's first Queen. Then she covers Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou. Both of these women went to war to keep their families on the English Throne. Then she concludes the series with Jane Grey, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. *Recommend for using clips in a history classroom and for independent study students.*
Medieval Lives - A Good Birth, Marriage, Death - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Helen Castor uses the Paxton family story to explore how the medieval period dealt with birth, marriage, and death. She starts off the series with Margaret Paxton preparing to give birth. Castor discusses how religion was tied into birth, marriage, and death. She then traces the Paxton’s marriage and finally concludes with death. It is a fascinating look at Medieval lives. *Highly recommend for middle school and high school classrooms as well as for independent study students or clips.*
*Search for Alfred the Great: VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Neil Oliver explores the search for the grave of King Alfred the Great, the only British King who had the title "The Great." Oliver tells the story of what happened to the bones as well as the story of Alfred the Great. Scientists have been exploring a set of bones to determine whether or not they belong to Alfred the Great. It is an excellent look at the life of Alfred the Great. *Highly recommend for a middle school and high school history class.*
The Vikings - Episode 1 (44:49) Episode 2 (43:51) Episode 3 (44:05)
Norway was the early cradle of the Vikings, the last barbarians. How did they dominate the seas and waterways of Europe? These warriors traveled around the globe. They created trade networks and built kingdoms. However, their origins are mysterious. Modern archeologists are determined to find the origins. So what made them feared warriors? What made them skilled storytellers? What made the Vikings kingdom builders? Who were the Vikings? *Highly recommend for a middle school and high school history class.*
The Last Journey of the Vikings - Episode 1 (49:55) Episode 2 (49:32) Episode 3 (49:52) Episode 4 (49:58)
The Last Journey of the Vikings is a docudrama series about the Viking People. They traveled widely and shaped European politics. What is the truth about the Vikings? In the Eighth Century, the Vikings started appearing along the coasts of Europe. With their fierce warriors, they gained a reputation as Europe’s terrorizers. They targeted monasteries because the monks could not defend themselves. Eventually, the Vikings’ strategy changed. They mixed with the powerful. So why did the Vikings become pirates? How did they spread their influence over Europe? Tune into this documentary to find out. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school classroom. Highly recommended to mine for clips.*
Ascent of Civilization - The Vikings - YouTube (50:31)
The Vikings discovered America 500 years before Columbus and revolutionized exploring and trading. The Vikings lived in the north of Europe in widely scattered communities. The Romans called it Scandinavia. It was a land of fire and ice. In the beginning, the Vikings lived peacefully along the coastlines. That changed when they started to terrorize Europe. No man, woman, or child was safe from Viking raids. So how did this group of seafarers change Europe? *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a high school history class.*
William the Conqueror - YouTube (51:39)
This is the story of William the Conqueror. He made his mark in history by invading England in 1066. Who was the real William the Conqueror? The primary source records are scarce when it comes to William's history. When was William the Conqueror born? What were his motivations for invading England? He goes down in history as a brave man but was he really that brave? What was he really like? This docudrama is a dramatic retelling of William the Conqueror’s Story. *Highly recommended for research purposes as well as a fun history day viewing.*
Marco Polo - YouTube (50:43)
It is the 13th Century and Marco Polo is going to embark on a voyage to China. However, doubts exist that he made it to China. The scale of his adventures defies belief and his account becomes a best seller of the Middle Ages. Is there legitimate proof that Marco Polo was in China? Even on his death bed, he hinted that he had only told half the story. Today, historians are looking at the documents to prove that he was there. Who was the real Marco Polo? *Highly recommended for research and a history classes.*
Women Who Made History - Joan of Arc - YouTube (50:27)
Joan of Arc liberated France. She challenged soldiers, generals, and the church. It was May of 1429 and Joan was leading her soldiers against the English holding a fortress. If the French took control of the fort, the Orleans would be free. The English had been on French soil for decades and now the French were rising against them to take control of France again. Joan of Arc was leading those French soldiers to victory. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and for independent study students.*
The Hanseatic League - YouTube (43:27)
Recovering the Traces of the Hanseatic League explored the seas three hundred years before the Portuguese started exploring. Not all ships made it back. Ships, storms, and pirates could sink these ships. The Hanseatic League was founded in the 1200s. They were a trading organization. They were a trading network that had extensive contacts in Europe. They focused on the Baltic Sea and what remains of this league is found on the bottom. What can these wrecks tell us about the Hanseatic League?
The Renaissance The Age of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci - Episode 1 (42:25) Episode 2 (42:25)
Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Square is the most impressive monument of the Renaissance. IT is the largest cathedral in the world. Just think, it would have been impossible to construct such a building in the Middle Ages. The knowledge was just not there. Then the Renaissance happened, and knowledge started to flow. Their knowledge would have enabled people to build such structures as Saint Peter’s. What were their secrets? *Recommended for both an art and history class.*
Ivan the Terrible: Russia's First Tsar - YouTube (52:23)
He was orphaned as a child. He was brought up in a system of political violence. He liberates Russia from foreign leaders. He committed his first murder at the age of thirteen. He was the first Tsar of Russia. Was he a harsh ruler who demanded absolute loyalty? Or was he an intellectual? Who is the real Ivan the Terrible? A criminal profiler looks for those answers. Additionally, Ivan’s face will be reconstructed during this documentary. *Highly recommended for a high school history class and for research purposes.*
The Cranachs - YouTube (42:27)
They are two of the greatest artist of the 16th Century, Lucas and Lucas Cranach. They ran a workshop and produced some of the greatest works of the Reformation. They made their fortune painting. The pair were personal friends of Martin Luther. They painted more and faster than any of their contemporaries. Generations of scholars have studied the Cranachs’, however, there are still questions that have to be answered. Today, modern technology may have scholars find the answers they are looking for. * Recommended for an art class and independent study students.*
The Machine that Made Us - YouTube (58:56)
Stephen Fry examines the story of Johann Gutenberg, the genius who invented the printing press. He was the man who launched the first media revolution and launched the modern world. Fry helps make a working medieval printing press. However, Gutenberg’s story is mysterious and Fry hopes that by recreating a printing press he will get to grips with the man. Will Fry succeed in making a working printing press? Who was Johann Gutenberg? *Recommended for a history class as well as a science class because of the experimental history aspect.*
How To Get Ahead - Renaissance Court -YouTube (59:18)
Stephen Smith explores Florence and the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo Medici. Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the Medici Family. They were a family of bankers who turned into royals. They were the patrons of the arts and finer things of life. Artists and thinkers flourished in the Medici Court. Cosimo was a man interested in the finer things in life. He was a man who reigned during the same time as Henry VIII. He was the man who wrote the book on how to be a Renaissance Prince. *Use for clips, not recommended to be shown in class.*
Marco Polo: A Very Modern Journey - Episode 1 (47:38) Episode 2 (47:58) Episode 3 (47:57)
Marco Polo journeyed the far reaches of the Mongol Empire. He started in 1271 and his journals reveal an exotic world of riches. How could he have done it? What did he learn about the east? How would his journey look today? Professor Quguang Zhao follows in Marco Polo’s footsteps. Follow the professor as he begins his journey from Venice to the East. What will the professor learn about Marco Polo? *Not recommended for a classroom nor recommended for research purposes.*
Charlemagne - Episode 1 (50:42) Episode 2 (50:14) Episode 3 (51:56)
Charlemagne was the most important Emperor of the Middle Ages. The story begins with a monk gathering wood for a fire. He was a scholar in Charlemagne’s court and was his friend. He is the narrator of Charlemagne’s story. He was crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. He was the most powerful ruler of his time. Even the pope was intimidated by him. He was superhuman. However, what is a myth, and what is reality? *Recommended for the history classroom and research purposes.*
Europe in the Middle Ages - Episode 1 (52:30) Episode 2 (54:22) Episode 3 (51:56) Episode 4 (52:23)
The Middle Ages were often considered a dark and dreary time. Four estates lived during this time: knights, monks, peasants, and beggars. This series follows the lives of people from each level of society. You will see the Middle Ages through their eyes. What was the reality of that? However, it is a time when the modern age was born. So what can we discover about the Middle Ages through these groups? Was the Middle Ages all that dark? *Highly recommended for the middle school history classroom.*
Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty
Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty is about the Plantagenet Family, one of the more dysfunctional English dynasties. They ruled England for 400 years. This dynasty is the inspiration behind Game of Thrones. This series is presented by Dan Jones who is a journalist and historian.
Henry II - YouTube: (44:52)
Dan Jones explores the rule of King Henry II. He explores how he ruled, Thomas Beckett, and his fights with his family. Henry II was a control freak. This led to his wife and sons betraying him. The church also challenged Henry II, which led to Thomas Beckett’s murder in the cathedral. This is a fascinating docu-drama on the Plantagenet family. Dan Jones tells the story well. *This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes, for a high school history class, or to mine for clips.*
Henry III - YouTube (44:48)
Dan Jones explores the rule of King Henry III, and how his rule ended up with the establishment of the Parliament. King Henry III and Simon de Montfort were best friends. However, they fell out and it caused a revolution in England. This revolution led to Parliament’s establishment. Parliament would set limits on the king. It is a fascinating look at how Parliament was established. *This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes and for clips in a high school history class.*
Edward II - YouTube (44:27)
Dan Jones explores the beginning and the end of King Edward II, the first English king who was forced to abdicate his throne. King Edward II’s friendship with Piers Gaveston led the nobles to intervene. This resulted in King Edward II taking revenge on those nobles with his new friend Hugh Despencer. King Edward II’s wife, Queen Isabella lead troops against King Edward to overthrow him and put her son on the throne. *This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes.*
Richard II - YouTube (45:05)
Dan Jones explores the Tyranny of Richard II and how his end kicked off the Wars of the Roses. King Richard II became king as a child. When he became an adult, he took the throne for himself. Unfortunately, the death of his wife led him to become a tyrant. This was unacceptable to the nobles who tried to fight back. His cousin, Henry Bollingbrook, decided to depose King Richard and become King himself. This is an excellent docu-drama for research purposes.*
The Germans Series
This is a German-produced documentary series about the history of the German people. Several of the episodes have been translated into English and made available through YouTube. It is an excellent look at the history of Germany and the German people.
Charlemagne and the Saxons: YouTube (42:48)
The Germans kick off with the story of Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first European Empire builder. He conquered the Saxon people and spread Christianity throughout the Frankish Empire. The Saxons challenged him, however, they came to accept his kingship. He built grand buildings to help demonstrate his power. This is an excellent summary of what Charlemagne accomplished during his reign. *Highly recommend for a middle school and high school history classroom.*
Otto and The Empire: YouTube (42:51)
Otto of Saxony was a German duke who helped forge the Holy Roman Empire. He united the Germans to fight the Magyars. Otto then put down rebellions and created laws. His second marriage caused controversy among the people. He went to Rome to be crowned the Holy Roman Emperor. This is another excellent documentary about German History. *Highly recommend it for a middle school and high school history classroom.*
Barbarossa and the Lion: YouTube (41:30)
Barbarossa the Holy Roman Emperor and Henry of Saxony, his rival for power in what would eventually become Germany. They were cousins who would challenge each other. Barbarossa believed his crown put him above all the German dukes and kings. Henry of Saxony disagreed with that and tried to demonstrate his power through a building program. *Highly recommend it for middle school and high school history students interested in research.*
Reformation
The Germans - Martin Luther and the Nation: YouTube (42:51)
Martin Luther's 95 Theses touched off a Religious Reformation that swept through Europe. It kicks off with his trial and eventual hiding in the German territories. The second part of this documentary tells the story of Luther’s marriage. This is an excellent introduction to the Reformation. The first part of the episode would be good to show in a Christian school. *Highly recommend for both high school and middle school classrooms and independent study students.*
Secrets of the Dead - Battle for the Bible: YouTube (51:29)
This is the history of how the Bible was translated into English. Bible translation was an illegal act. This documentary tells the story of ohn Wycliffe, Thomas Cramner, and William Tyndale. John Wycliffe was the first person who worked on translating the Bible into English. William Tyndale was the next person who worked on translating the Bible. Thomas Cramner worked with reforming the English religion. *Highly recommend for middle school and high school classrooms. It is a good filler for a substitute teacher.*
Baroque - Episode 1 (58:39) Episode 2 (59:02) Episode 3 (59:38)
Waldemar Januszczak explores the world of Baroque Art. Baroque art spanned the 17th Century, spawning the greatest art. It began in St. Peter’s in Rome. It is an art form that embraces you. It goes big and highlights the drama. It could become dark and edgy. It blurred the divide between art and reality. The Baroque roped in other art forms to bring you into its world. Music, sculpture, and architecture were all impacted by the Baroque arts. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for an art class. Episode 1 would be a good idea for a STEM class.*
Martin Luther's 95 Theses touched off a Religious Reformation that swept through Europe. It kicks off with his trial and eventual hiding in the German territories. The second part of this documentary tells the story of Luther’s marriage. This is an excellent introduction to the Reformation. The first part of the episode would be good to show in a Christian school. *Highly recommend for both high school and middle school classrooms and independent study students.*
Secrets of the Dead - Battle for the Bible: YouTube (51:29)
This is the history of how the Bible was translated into English. Bible translation was an illegal act. This documentary tells the story of ohn Wycliffe, Thomas Cramner, and William Tyndale. John Wycliffe was the first person who worked on translating the Bible into English. William Tyndale was the next person who worked on translating the Bible. Thomas Cramner worked with reforming the English religion. *Highly recommend for middle school and high school classrooms. It is a good filler for a substitute teacher.*
Baroque - Episode 1 (58:39) Episode 2 (59:02) Episode 3 (59:38)
Waldemar Januszczak explores the world of Baroque Art. Baroque art spanned the 17th Century, spawning the greatest art. It began in St. Peter’s in Rome. It is an art form that embraces you. It goes big and highlights the drama. It could become dark and edgy. It blurred the divide between art and reality. The Baroque roped in other art forms to bring you into its world. Music, sculpture, and architecture were all impacted by the Baroque arts. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for an art class. Episode 1 would be a good idea for a STEM class.*
Post Reformation World
Pendle Witch Trials - YouTube (59:64)
Alice Device, Jennet’s sister, confessed to being a witch. An old peddler was struck down with a stroke after refusing to sell her some pins. After this confession, dozens of people were arrested. Jennet Device testifies in a witch trial against her family, setting a precedent in judicial history. Jennet’s testimony condemned her family. The narrator presents this documentary very well and his style engages the viewer. *Recommended for independent research purposes.*
Witch Hunt: A Century of Murder - Episode 1 (44:61) Episode 2 (44:39)
This special is narrated by Suzannah Lipscomb. King James I when he came over to England to rule brought over his beliefs about witches and touched off decades of witch-hunting in England. There was another flare-up of witch-hunting as a precursor to the English Civil War. Eventually, the century of murder came to an end. Suzannah Lipscomb narrates this series well and addresses how the accused witches were innocent. *Recommended for independent research purposes.*
The Great Fire – Episode 1 (44:20) Episode 2 (44:32) Episode 3 (44:32)
Dan Jones, Suzannah Lipscomb, and Rob Bell explore the history of the Great London Fire. It was the biggest fire London ever had. They walk the route of the fire and explore how the fire started. The fire happened during a hot, dry summer. Jones, Lipscomb, and Bell explore the Great London Fire through the stories of three people. They tell how the fire impacted them. It is an in-depth look at the London Fire. *Recommended for research purposes.*
War on Witches - YouTube (47:03)
It is 1590: England is ruled by Queen Elizabeth and Scotland is ruled by King James I. King James I had a vendetta. He had a vendetta against witches. In May 1590, King James I was returning to Scotland from Denmark. Storms were stirred up in the North Sea. King James was in danger of sinking. Winds and waves slammed the ship. The passengers thought the storm was caused unnaturally. King James I was going to find out. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and independent study students.*
Dark History of Witches - YouTube (46:20)
What do we know about the witch? Who were the women that were accused of being witches? Are they a remnant of a long-lost goddess? How did a child’s game go so wrong in Salem? Why are there practicing witches today? This documentary seeks to answer those questions. The historians look at the beginnings of witchcraft, where witches came from, and what it meant to be a practicing witch. *Recommended for research purposes and to use clips in a classroom lecture.*
The Hidden World of the Harem - YouTube (1:36:51)
The Ottoman Imperial Harem brings together a variety of historians to talk about the controversies of the Ottoman Harem. It is a system steeped in mystery and misunderstanding. The harem was closed off to the world. Who were the people that made up? Was it a place of hard partying? Or was it a place where great learning took place? This documentary brings in a prince who lived in the harem all his life. He was one of the last people to have lived in the harem. *Recommended for research purposes and for a high school history classroom.*
The Stuarts: A Bloody Reign - Episode 1 (43:26) Episode 2 (43:33) Episode 3 (43:46) Episode 4 (43:35)
The Stuarts: A Bloody Reign is a series featuring the Stuarts. They took over England after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Europe is torn apart by religious conflict and England is right at the center. The Stuart kings were James I, Charles I, Charles II, and James II. Kate Williams reassesses this dynasty in light of new evidence. She also explores a family who witnessed the rise and the fall of the Stuarts. *Skip episode 1, otherwise episodes 2-4 are highly recommended for a history class.*
Recovering Swedish War Ships - YouTube (43:08)
On April 24, 1715, the Danish and Swedish navies met and commenced to fight. The battle was not far from the Bay of Kiel. These two nations were fighting over trade routes. Decades later, divers are finding the remains of cannons on the site of the battle. Eventually, a wooden ship was found, making archeologists and historians curious about the battle. What was this ship? What could this ship tell us about such a decisive battle? *Add to your potential documentary list and share with an independent study student.*
Alice Device, Jennet’s sister, confessed to being a witch. An old peddler was struck down with a stroke after refusing to sell her some pins. After this confession, dozens of people were arrested. Jennet Device testifies in a witch trial against her family, setting a precedent in judicial history. Jennet’s testimony condemned her family. The narrator presents this documentary very well and his style engages the viewer. *Recommended for independent research purposes.*
Witch Hunt: A Century of Murder - Episode 1 (44:61) Episode 2 (44:39)
This special is narrated by Suzannah Lipscomb. King James I when he came over to England to rule brought over his beliefs about witches and touched off decades of witch-hunting in England. There was another flare-up of witch-hunting as a precursor to the English Civil War. Eventually, the century of murder came to an end. Suzannah Lipscomb narrates this series well and addresses how the accused witches were innocent. *Recommended for independent research purposes.*
The Great Fire – Episode 1 (44:20) Episode 2 (44:32) Episode 3 (44:32)
Dan Jones, Suzannah Lipscomb, and Rob Bell explore the history of the Great London Fire. It was the biggest fire London ever had. They walk the route of the fire and explore how the fire started. The fire happened during a hot, dry summer. Jones, Lipscomb, and Bell explore the Great London Fire through the stories of three people. They tell how the fire impacted them. It is an in-depth look at the London Fire. *Recommended for research purposes.*
War on Witches - YouTube (47:03)
It is 1590: England is ruled by Queen Elizabeth and Scotland is ruled by King James I. King James I had a vendetta. He had a vendetta against witches. In May 1590, King James I was returning to Scotland from Denmark. Storms were stirred up in the North Sea. King James was in danger of sinking. Winds and waves slammed the ship. The passengers thought the storm was caused unnaturally. King James I was going to find out. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and independent study students.*
Dark History of Witches - YouTube (46:20)
What do we know about the witch? Who were the women that were accused of being witches? Are they a remnant of a long-lost goddess? How did a child’s game go so wrong in Salem? Why are there practicing witches today? This documentary seeks to answer those questions. The historians look at the beginnings of witchcraft, where witches came from, and what it meant to be a practicing witch. *Recommended for research purposes and to use clips in a classroom lecture.*
The Hidden World of the Harem - YouTube (1:36:51)
The Ottoman Imperial Harem brings together a variety of historians to talk about the controversies of the Ottoman Harem. It is a system steeped in mystery and misunderstanding. The harem was closed off to the world. Who were the people that made up? Was it a place of hard partying? Or was it a place where great learning took place? This documentary brings in a prince who lived in the harem all his life. He was one of the last people to have lived in the harem. *Recommended for research purposes and for a high school history classroom.*
The Stuarts: A Bloody Reign - Episode 1 (43:26) Episode 2 (43:33) Episode 3 (43:46) Episode 4 (43:35)
The Stuarts: A Bloody Reign is a series featuring the Stuarts. They took over England after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Europe is torn apart by religious conflict and England is right at the center. The Stuart kings were James I, Charles I, Charles II, and James II. Kate Williams reassesses this dynasty in light of new evidence. She also explores a family who witnessed the rise and the fall of the Stuarts. *Skip episode 1, otherwise episodes 2-4 are highly recommended for a history class.*
Recovering Swedish War Ships - YouTube (43:08)
On April 24, 1715, the Danish and Swedish navies met and commenced to fight. The battle was not far from the Bay of Kiel. These two nations were fighting over trade routes. Decades later, divers are finding the remains of cannons on the site of the battle. Eventually, a wooden ship was found, making archeologists and historians curious about the battle. What was this ship? What could this ship tell us about such a decisive battle? *Add to your potential documentary list and share with an independent study student.*
Georgian Period
Portrait of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia. Public Domain.
Germans: Frederick and the Empress: YouTube (42:29)
This is a German-produced English-language documentary about Frederick the Great and Empress Maria Theresa. They were the rulers of two German empires. When Maria Theresa became Empress, Frederick the Great invaded parts of her domain. She fought back against the Prussians. This documentary tells the story of the rulers who fought for supremacy. *Highly recommended for a high school history classroom. Highly recommended for research purposes.*
Women Who Made History - Catherine the Great - YouTube (48:32)
Catherine was born Princess Sophie Auguste Friederike von Anhalt-Zerbst. She was chosen to become the bride of the next heir to the Russian Throne: Peter. It was a journey of several months thousands of miles. It was the chance of a lifetime for Sophie and her family. She had to prove herself worthy to be Peter’s bride. When she arrived in Russia, she made a clean break from her past and became fully Russian. How would Catherine adjust to life in Russia? *Recommended for a college history class and college independent study students.*
King George III: Genius of a Mad King: YouTube (58:56)
King George III's papers were digitized and this documentary shows historians poring over his papers, learning more about this misunderstood monarch. His papers reveal a remarkable man. He was a king engaged with his kingdom. He tried to avoid arguments to prevent his fits of madness. I created an assignment that would allow students to use his papers to explore more of the life of this misunderstood king. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school classroom, both American and World history. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Empress Josephine - YouTube (52:17)
Empress Josephine was Napoleon Bonaparte’s, great love. During the Time of the French Revolution, everyone knows Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de Le Pagerie. History would know her as Josephine. The Reign of Terror has just ended and she had just barely escaped the guillotine. She would meet a Corsican general who was just beginning his career. This general was six years younger than her but he fell madly in love with her. The pair would eventually marry and would write world history. *Recommended for research purposes.*
Women Who Made History: Queen Luise - YouTube (50:57)
She was the most dangerous woman in all of Europe. Princess Luise was a queen from a humble background. She and her sister married Prussian princes. Princess Luise would eventually become Queen Luise. Queen Luise of Prussia encouraged the Prussians to go to war with Napoleon. This is a German documentary with English subtitles. *Highly recommend for independent study students learning about a person in history. Would show to a high school history class.*
Secrets of the Dead: Bewitched - YouTube (1:01:56)
This is an older Secrets of the Dead episode about the Salem Witch Trials and the 300 years of witch hunting. Were the girls truly bewitched? One scientist dives into the Salem Witch Trials. The answer she found may surprise the viewer. Using her sleuthing skills and historical records, she discovered what triggered the Salem Witch trials as well as similar trials around Europe. *Highly recommended for research purposes and use in both history and science classroom.*
America's Hidden Stories: Salem's Secrets - YouTube (51:05)
The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692, with the hanging of five witches. People traveled from all over to see the witches hanging. There is a huge panic over witchcraft. It began with three young women having severe fits in bed. The people believed that they were being attacked by demons. This belief kicked off the beginning of the Salem Witch Trials. Why did these three young women have so much power over the town? What made the witch trials stop? *Recommended use in for a history classroom.*
Witch Hunt - YouTube (1:08:53)
In 1692, witch mania went through Salem, Massachusetts. It began when a girl fell sick with convulsions, visions, contortions, and random outbursts. This triggered the people to hunt out witches. Over 100 supposed witches were imprisoned during this hunt. Cotton Mather writes an account of what went on in Salem. This documentary presents the story he wrote. *Recommended for use in a history classroom or for further research into Salem.*
Nations at War - Episode 1 (43:00) Episode 2 (42:28) Episode 3 (43:09) Episode 4 (43:09) Episode 5 (42:53) Episode 6 (43:09) Episode 7 (43:49) Episode 8 (43:49) Episode 9 (43:59) Episode 10 (43:49) Episode 11 (43:49) Episode 12 (43:49) Episode 13 (22:16)
Nations at War: this is a series about the First Nations. It is hosted by David Lyle. David starts this series by announcing that it is the Eighteenth Century and the world is more connected. This documentary weaves the tales of the first nations, how they each had a quest for power, resources, and survival. Even though these First Nations were different, history seems to indicate that the First Nations had plenty of things in common. Alliances were formed, conflicts came, nations grew and fell. The Timeline YouTube Channel had put together two episodes into one episode.
The Last Days of Marie Antoinette - YouTube (1:44:10)
Marie Antoinette would go down in history as France’s tragic Queen. She was a mother and a wife. She was a woman caught up in a situation nobody could have dreamed of. The year is 1793 and France has been a republic for the last four months. This is the story of her last 72 days of life after the Revolution swept away the royal family and kings. New documents reveal that her trial was rigged. *Recommended for a history class, this docu-drama can be divided into section easy to show in a classroom.*
France's Greatest Royal Painter: The Rise of Madam LeBrun - YouTube (51:20)
Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun was France’s last great portrait painter. She was a child prodigy and was taught by her father. Elisabeth started painting professionally at fourteen years old. She soon became part of the court of Marie Antoinette. She painted over 660 portraits. However, due to her ties to the French court, she is forced to flee into exile. For thirteen years, she traveled around a variety of European courts. She will be met with a great deal of acclaim in the European Courts. *Highly recommended for an art class as well as a history class. Recommended for independent study students.*
War of 1812 - YouTube (1:53:16)
In June 1812, the young United States declared war on Great Britain. This war lasted for two years and the United States fought against the British, the Canadians, and the indigenous populations. This is a war that is largely forgotten in boh the United States and Britain. However, there is one place where the war is remembered: Canada. Legends grew up after the war. 1812 was a tiny war by the world’s standards and yet it has a big impact on a continent. *Recommended for an American History class.*
This is a German-produced English-language documentary about Frederick the Great and Empress Maria Theresa. They were the rulers of two German empires. When Maria Theresa became Empress, Frederick the Great invaded parts of her domain. She fought back against the Prussians. This documentary tells the story of the rulers who fought for supremacy. *Highly recommended for a high school history classroom. Highly recommended for research purposes.*
Women Who Made History - Catherine the Great - YouTube (48:32)
Catherine was born Princess Sophie Auguste Friederike von Anhalt-Zerbst. She was chosen to become the bride of the next heir to the Russian Throne: Peter. It was a journey of several months thousands of miles. It was the chance of a lifetime for Sophie and her family. She had to prove herself worthy to be Peter’s bride. When she arrived in Russia, she made a clean break from her past and became fully Russian. How would Catherine adjust to life in Russia? *Recommended for a college history class and college independent study students.*
King George III: Genius of a Mad King: YouTube (58:56)
King George III's papers were digitized and this documentary shows historians poring over his papers, learning more about this misunderstood monarch. His papers reveal a remarkable man. He was a king engaged with his kingdom. He tried to avoid arguments to prevent his fits of madness. I created an assignment that would allow students to use his papers to explore more of the life of this misunderstood king. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school classroom, both American and World history. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Empress Josephine - YouTube (52:17)
Empress Josephine was Napoleon Bonaparte’s, great love. During the Time of the French Revolution, everyone knows Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de Le Pagerie. History would know her as Josephine. The Reign of Terror has just ended and she had just barely escaped the guillotine. She would meet a Corsican general who was just beginning his career. This general was six years younger than her but he fell madly in love with her. The pair would eventually marry and would write world history. *Recommended for research purposes.*
Women Who Made History: Queen Luise - YouTube (50:57)
She was the most dangerous woman in all of Europe. Princess Luise was a queen from a humble background. She and her sister married Prussian princes. Princess Luise would eventually become Queen Luise. Queen Luise of Prussia encouraged the Prussians to go to war with Napoleon. This is a German documentary with English subtitles. *Highly recommend for independent study students learning about a person in history. Would show to a high school history class.*
Secrets of the Dead: Bewitched - YouTube (1:01:56)
This is an older Secrets of the Dead episode about the Salem Witch Trials and the 300 years of witch hunting. Were the girls truly bewitched? One scientist dives into the Salem Witch Trials. The answer she found may surprise the viewer. Using her sleuthing skills and historical records, she discovered what triggered the Salem Witch trials as well as similar trials around Europe. *Highly recommended for research purposes and use in both history and science classroom.*
America's Hidden Stories: Salem's Secrets - YouTube (51:05)
The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692, with the hanging of five witches. People traveled from all over to see the witches hanging. There is a huge panic over witchcraft. It began with three young women having severe fits in bed. The people believed that they were being attacked by demons. This belief kicked off the beginning of the Salem Witch Trials. Why did these three young women have so much power over the town? What made the witch trials stop? *Recommended use in for a history classroom.*
Witch Hunt - YouTube (1:08:53)
In 1692, witch mania went through Salem, Massachusetts. It began when a girl fell sick with convulsions, visions, contortions, and random outbursts. This triggered the people to hunt out witches. Over 100 supposed witches were imprisoned during this hunt. Cotton Mather writes an account of what went on in Salem. This documentary presents the story he wrote. *Recommended for use in a history classroom or for further research into Salem.*
Nations at War - Episode 1 (43:00) Episode 2 (42:28) Episode 3 (43:09) Episode 4 (43:09) Episode 5 (42:53) Episode 6 (43:09) Episode 7 (43:49) Episode 8 (43:49) Episode 9 (43:59) Episode 10 (43:49) Episode 11 (43:49) Episode 12 (43:49) Episode 13 (22:16)
Nations at War: this is a series about the First Nations. It is hosted by David Lyle. David starts this series by announcing that it is the Eighteenth Century and the world is more connected. This documentary weaves the tales of the first nations, how they each had a quest for power, resources, and survival. Even though these First Nations were different, history seems to indicate that the First Nations had plenty of things in common. Alliances were formed, conflicts came, nations grew and fell. The Timeline YouTube Channel had put together two episodes into one episode.
The Last Days of Marie Antoinette - YouTube (1:44:10)
Marie Antoinette would go down in history as France’s tragic Queen. She was a mother and a wife. She was a woman caught up in a situation nobody could have dreamed of. The year is 1793 and France has been a republic for the last four months. This is the story of her last 72 days of life after the Revolution swept away the royal family and kings. New documents reveal that her trial was rigged. *Recommended for a history class, this docu-drama can be divided into section easy to show in a classroom.*
France's Greatest Royal Painter: The Rise of Madam LeBrun - YouTube (51:20)
Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun was France’s last great portrait painter. She was a child prodigy and was taught by her father. Elisabeth started painting professionally at fourteen years old. She soon became part of the court of Marie Antoinette. She painted over 660 portraits. However, due to her ties to the French court, she is forced to flee into exile. For thirteen years, she traveled around a variety of European courts. She will be met with a great deal of acclaim in the European Courts. *Highly recommended for an art class as well as a history class. Recommended for independent study students.*
War of 1812 - YouTube (1:53:16)
In June 1812, the young United States declared war on Great Britain. This war lasted for two years and the United States fought against the British, the Canadians, and the indigenous populations. This is a war that is largely forgotten in boh the United States and Britain. However, there is one place where the war is remembered: Canada. Legends grew up after the war. 1812 was a tiny war by the world’s standards and yet it has a big impact on a continent. *Recommended for an American History class.*
Victorian Period
Krakatoa: The Great Volcanic Eruption - YouTube (1:25:34)
The Explosion of Krakatoa is a docudrama about the 1883 eruption. It tells the story of the lighthouse keeper, a ship's captain, government officials, and the people. Using primary sources, the producers put together this documentary about the eruption of Krakatoa and its impact on the world. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history, geography, and earth science classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Hidden Killers of the Victorian Home - YouTube (58:58)
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the hidden killers of the Victorian Home. She shows that the killers appeared in the home starting with the drawing-room, the bedroom, and the kitchen. The Victorian Period was an era of innovation. The Victorians had pocket money and they wanted to spend it. Unfortunately, these innovations could kill the homeowner. *Recommended for a high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Queen Victoria: A Monarch Unveiled: Episode 1 (58:51) Episode 2 (58:52)
A.N. Wilson explores the life of Queen Victoria through the letters that survived over two episodes. The first episode shows what her childhood and married life were like. The second episode shows her as a widow. He paints a portrait of a monarch who laughed frequently, engaged in politics, and enjoyed life. Wilson’s portrayal of Queen Victoria shatters the myth of the widow in black. It is a fascinating look at the life of Queen Victoria through her surviving journals. *Highly recommended for a high school history class and independent study students.*
Secrets of the Victorian Workhouse - Episode 1 (43:45) Episode 2 (43:55)
Several UK celebrities explore their relatives’ experiences in the Victorian Workhouse. The Victorian Workhouse was the place where the poor and destitute received free health care and food. However, poverty was a crime in Victorian England, so the workhouse became famous for its harsh conditions. One famous resident of the workhouse became the famous actor Charlie Chaplin. His workhouse experiences inspired his acting and the characters he portrayed. *Highly recommended for research purposes.*
The Explosion of Krakatoa is a docudrama about the 1883 eruption. It tells the story of the lighthouse keeper, a ship's captain, government officials, and the people. Using primary sources, the producers put together this documentary about the eruption of Krakatoa and its impact on the world. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history, geography, and earth science classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Hidden Killers of the Victorian Home - YouTube (58:58)
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the hidden killers of the Victorian Home. She shows that the killers appeared in the home starting with the drawing-room, the bedroom, and the kitchen. The Victorian Period was an era of innovation. The Victorians had pocket money and they wanted to spend it. Unfortunately, these innovations could kill the homeowner. *Recommended for a high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Queen Victoria: A Monarch Unveiled: Episode 1 (58:51) Episode 2 (58:52)
A.N. Wilson explores the life of Queen Victoria through the letters that survived over two episodes. The first episode shows what her childhood and married life were like. The second episode shows her as a widow. He paints a portrait of a monarch who laughed frequently, engaged in politics, and enjoyed life. Wilson’s portrayal of Queen Victoria shatters the myth of the widow in black. It is a fascinating look at the life of Queen Victoria through her surviving journals. *Highly recommended for a high school history class and independent study students.*
Secrets of the Victorian Workhouse - Episode 1 (43:45) Episode 2 (43:55)
Several UK celebrities explore their relatives’ experiences in the Victorian Workhouse. The Victorian Workhouse was the place where the poor and destitute received free health care and food. However, poverty was a crime in Victorian England, so the workhouse became famous for its harsh conditions. One famous resident of the workhouse became the famous actor Charlie Chaplin. His workhouse experiences inspired his acting and the characters he portrayed. *Highly recommended for research purposes.*
Gilded Age
F.G.O. Stuart (1843-1923), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Hidden Killers of the Edwardian Home - YouTube (58:44)
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the Hidden Killers of the Edwardian Home. The Edwardian Home was full of new inventions, however, some of these inventions were quite dangerous. It was the first time the home had electricity. Asbestos was used as insulation. Refrigerators started to make an appearance in the home. Women could wear make-up to have an up-to-date look. *Recommended for a high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Lost Liners - NO LONGER AVAILABLE
This documentary features Bob Ballard exploring his career as an oceanographer. He discusses the Titanic and Lusitania and learns about the Empress of Ireland. He talks about the Titanic’s discovery and the problems it caused. Then he talks about the mystery of Lusitania’s sinking. Finally, he visits the Empress of Ireland as his last ocean liner. He visits the Empress of Ireland with a descendant of one of the passengers. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school classroom. This documentary can be broken up into sections.*
Lost Voyage of the 499 - YouTube (47:44)
A ship was bound for China. It had a ghostly cargo of 499 Chinese gold miners. The ship sunk and its cargo disappeared. This ship lies off the coast of New Zealand. All the names were lost, except for one: Choie Sew Hoy. He was considered one of the pioneers of New Zealand. In 1861, gold was discovered in a valley in New Zealand. Miners from all over the world. However, this gold rush was over as soon as it was started. This documentary tells the story of the gold rush and the Chinese miners. *Not recommended for a classroom setting.*
Frank Lloyd Wright - YouTube (59:15)
Frank Lloyd Wright was the greatest architect in America. He redefined architecture and became famous in the world all over. However, his genius is oftentimes buried under the scandals of his life. Jonathan Adams, an architect from Wales is going to travel around America to discover more about Frank Lloyd Wright. He wants to know the man and wishes to put him back in his place. What will Jonathan discover about Frank Lloyd Wright? Tune into this episode to find out more. *HIGHLY recommended for a history and house building class.*
First Flight: The Race to Create the World's First Flying Machine - YouTube (52:49)
In 1903, the Wright Brothers made the first motorized flight. Or did they? This documentary talks about the controversy surrounding this claim. Aviation expert, John Brown explores this controversy and puts for the claim that Gustave Whitehead was the one that made the first flight. It is a claim that outrages many. Was Gustave Whitehead a genius or a person discredited by his rivals? Who kick-started the age of aviation? *Recommended for use in an American history classroom.*
Titanic
Waking the Titanic - YouTube (51:23)
Fourteen young people from one small town in Ireland made their way to America, on board the Titanic. They traveled together in a group to keep each other safe. Only 3 survived the trip. The deaths of 11 young people deeply scarred the town they grew up in. Narrated by the actor who played Branson on Downton Abbey. This docu-drama offers a different perspective on the Titanic by sharing the story of ordinary people. *Highly recommended for an elementary school, middle school, and high school classroom. Recommended for a substitute teacher to show.*
Abandoning the Titanic - Video Found on PBS Website
This is a new perspective on Titanic: who abandoned the passengers to their fate? The historians and investigators look at the perspective of the ships in the area. They look into the identity of the mystery ship and the captain who turned away from the Titanic. This group also explores maritime law and what requirements ships performed to help a sinking ship. *Recommended for a middle school and high school classroom.*
Timewatch: Titanic - YouTube (47:00)
Myths of Titanic, a Time Watch episode, tries to unravel the myths and stories surrounding the Titanic. The first myth deals with the fact that the ship was unsinkable. The other myths talk about the sinking itself. It is a good summary of the events surrounding the Titanic, it's building, and sinking. *Recommended for middle and high school classrooms as well as independent study students. Recommend for substitute teachers to show in the classroom.*
Words of the Titanic - YouTube (46:03)
Words of Titanic is a docu-drama featuring the stories of the various survivors of the Titanic. The producers used primary source documents and the actual words of those survivors. The words are read by a variety of actors and descendants or relatives of Titanic crew members and survivors. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students. Highly recommended for a substitute teacher to show in a classroom.*
Saving the Titanic - YouTube (1:29:54)
Saving the Titanic is a docu-drama about the crew members and engineers who kept her lights on for two hours. The story kicks off with the inquiry into the sinking and the surviving crew members who gave testimony about the sinking. This story is about the unsung heroes of the sinking. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students. Highly recommended for a substitute teacher to show in a classroom.*
Titanic: The Nightmare and the Dream - YouTube (52:28)
This documentary was filmed in 1986 and it is about the Discovery of the Titanic. Bob Ballard had worked with the Navy to discover the vessel at the bottom. He was trying out new robotic equipment to find the Titanic. This is an older documentary about the Titanic and the sinking. The information is older. However, it is a good documentary covering Bob Ballard’s career and the Titanic’s discovery. *Recommended for elementary school and middle school classrooms.*
Titanic - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
In 1997 Titanic came out and was the highest-grossing film in the world. James Cameron, the director, assembles a team to look at the sinking of the Titanic. He tries to figure out how the Titanic sunk and what happened after it sunk. Cameron gathered eight Titanic historians to try to solve the Titanic’s final moments' mystery. This documentary came out in 2012 to coincide with the anniversary of the sinking. *Recommended for elementary school and middle school classrooms.*
Who Sank the Titanic - YouTube (1:08:30)
This documentary is about the human errors that lead to the sinking of the Titanic. This docu-drama features the officers’ decisions on board as well as the materials used to build the Titanic to determine whether or not the ship could have avoided its fate. The scientists look at the materials that were used to build the Titanic. This account is based on primary source documents. *Recommended for high school and middle school classrooms.*
Titanic’s Missing Pieces - Video No Longer Available
In 2005 two pieces of Titanic bottom were discovered by an expedition to the ship. It was a discovery that sent shockwaves through the Titanic community. What could these two pieces reveal about Titanic’s final moments? Titanic historians use computer models to put together the Titanic to figure out how she broke up. *Highly recommended for middle school and high school classrooms.*
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the Hidden Killers of the Edwardian Home. The Edwardian Home was full of new inventions, however, some of these inventions were quite dangerous. It was the first time the home had electricity. Asbestos was used as insulation. Refrigerators started to make an appearance in the home. Women could wear make-up to have an up-to-date look. *Recommended for a high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Lost Liners - NO LONGER AVAILABLE
This documentary features Bob Ballard exploring his career as an oceanographer. He discusses the Titanic and Lusitania and learns about the Empress of Ireland. He talks about the Titanic’s discovery and the problems it caused. Then he talks about the mystery of Lusitania’s sinking. Finally, he visits the Empress of Ireland as his last ocean liner. He visits the Empress of Ireland with a descendant of one of the passengers. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school classroom. This documentary can be broken up into sections.*
Lost Voyage of the 499 - YouTube (47:44)
A ship was bound for China. It had a ghostly cargo of 499 Chinese gold miners. The ship sunk and its cargo disappeared. This ship lies off the coast of New Zealand. All the names were lost, except for one: Choie Sew Hoy. He was considered one of the pioneers of New Zealand. In 1861, gold was discovered in a valley in New Zealand. Miners from all over the world. However, this gold rush was over as soon as it was started. This documentary tells the story of the gold rush and the Chinese miners. *Not recommended for a classroom setting.*
Frank Lloyd Wright - YouTube (59:15)
Frank Lloyd Wright was the greatest architect in America. He redefined architecture and became famous in the world all over. However, his genius is oftentimes buried under the scandals of his life. Jonathan Adams, an architect from Wales is going to travel around America to discover more about Frank Lloyd Wright. He wants to know the man and wishes to put him back in his place. What will Jonathan discover about Frank Lloyd Wright? Tune into this episode to find out more. *HIGHLY recommended for a history and house building class.*
First Flight: The Race to Create the World's First Flying Machine - YouTube (52:49)
In 1903, the Wright Brothers made the first motorized flight. Or did they? This documentary talks about the controversy surrounding this claim. Aviation expert, John Brown explores this controversy and puts for the claim that Gustave Whitehead was the one that made the first flight. It is a claim that outrages many. Was Gustave Whitehead a genius or a person discredited by his rivals? Who kick-started the age of aviation? *Recommended for use in an American history classroom.*
Titanic
Waking the Titanic - YouTube (51:23)
Fourteen young people from one small town in Ireland made their way to America, on board the Titanic. They traveled together in a group to keep each other safe. Only 3 survived the trip. The deaths of 11 young people deeply scarred the town they grew up in. Narrated by the actor who played Branson on Downton Abbey. This docu-drama offers a different perspective on the Titanic by sharing the story of ordinary people. *Highly recommended for an elementary school, middle school, and high school classroom. Recommended for a substitute teacher to show.*
Abandoning the Titanic - Video Found on PBS Website
This is a new perspective on Titanic: who abandoned the passengers to their fate? The historians and investigators look at the perspective of the ships in the area. They look into the identity of the mystery ship and the captain who turned away from the Titanic. This group also explores maritime law and what requirements ships performed to help a sinking ship. *Recommended for a middle school and high school classroom.*
Timewatch: Titanic - YouTube (47:00)
Myths of Titanic, a Time Watch episode, tries to unravel the myths and stories surrounding the Titanic. The first myth deals with the fact that the ship was unsinkable. The other myths talk about the sinking itself. It is a good summary of the events surrounding the Titanic, it's building, and sinking. *Recommended for middle and high school classrooms as well as independent study students. Recommend for substitute teachers to show in the classroom.*
Words of the Titanic - YouTube (46:03)
Words of Titanic is a docu-drama featuring the stories of the various survivors of the Titanic. The producers used primary source documents and the actual words of those survivors. The words are read by a variety of actors and descendants or relatives of Titanic crew members and survivors. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students. Highly recommended for a substitute teacher to show in a classroom.*
Saving the Titanic - YouTube (1:29:54)
Saving the Titanic is a docu-drama about the crew members and engineers who kept her lights on for two hours. The story kicks off with the inquiry into the sinking and the surviving crew members who gave testimony about the sinking. This story is about the unsung heroes of the sinking. *Highly recommended for a middle school and high school history classroom. Highly recommended for independent study students. Highly recommended for a substitute teacher to show in a classroom.*
Titanic: The Nightmare and the Dream - YouTube (52:28)
This documentary was filmed in 1986 and it is about the Discovery of the Titanic. Bob Ballard had worked with the Navy to discover the vessel at the bottom. He was trying out new robotic equipment to find the Titanic. This is an older documentary about the Titanic and the sinking. The information is older. However, it is a good documentary covering Bob Ballard’s career and the Titanic’s discovery. *Recommended for elementary school and middle school classrooms.*
Titanic - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
In 1997 Titanic came out and was the highest-grossing film in the world. James Cameron, the director, assembles a team to look at the sinking of the Titanic. He tries to figure out how the Titanic sunk and what happened after it sunk. Cameron gathered eight Titanic historians to try to solve the Titanic’s final moments' mystery. This documentary came out in 2012 to coincide with the anniversary of the sinking. *Recommended for elementary school and middle school classrooms.*
Who Sank the Titanic - YouTube (1:08:30)
This documentary is about the human errors that lead to the sinking of the Titanic. This docu-drama features the officers’ decisions on board as well as the materials used to build the Titanic to determine whether or not the ship could have avoided its fate. The scientists look at the materials that were used to build the Titanic. This account is based on primary source documents. *Recommended for high school and middle school classrooms.*
Titanic’s Missing Pieces - Video No Longer Available
In 2005 two pieces of Titanic bottom were discovered by an expedition to the ship. It was a discovery that sent shockwaves through the Titanic community. What could these two pieces reveal about Titanic’s final moments? Titanic historians use computer models to put together the Titanic to figure out how she broke up. *Highly recommended for middle school and high school classrooms.*
Interwar Years
100 Years on the Lincoln Highway - YouTube (56:58)
The Lincoln Highway started in Times Square New York and crossed the country in San Francisco. IT was the first cross-country road in America. The country did not have many roads before the automobiles. Every road was a bike path or a dirt road farmers used to get in and out of town. These roads did not link together and go somewhere. *Highly recommended for an American History classroom and for a substitute teacher to show in the classroom.*
The Lincoln Highway started in Times Square New York and crossed the country in San Francisco. IT was the first cross-country road in America. The country did not have many roads before the automobiles. Every road was a bike path or a dirt road farmers used to get in and out of town. These roads did not link together and go somewhere. *Highly recommended for an American History classroom and for a substitute teacher to show in the classroom.*
Post World War II Era
Florence Foster Jenkins - YouTube (1:27:40)
Florence Foster Jenkins was known as the world’s worse opera singer and this is her story. This story is narrated from the perspective of a journalist who interviewed her. Florence Foster Jenkins was a flamboyant woman who loved to sing. She planned on performing at Carnegie Hall so the journalist wanted to interview her. Historians and music lovers talk about Florence Foster Jenkins’ life and singing career. *Recommended for research.*
Hidden Killers of the Post War Home - YouTube (58:37)
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the post-World War II home in Hidden Killers of the Post War Home. After the war normalcy slowly came back and with more purchasing power, people could buy more for the home. Unfortunately, there were new dangers introduced in the home. Some dangers include flammable nightgowns and furniture, chemistry sets, and not washing hands. This is a fascinating look at what hidden killers were brought into the home. *Highly recommended for student research purposes.*
Wahine Disaster - YouTube (52:55)
Wahine was a New Zealand Ferry that went down in a storm. The ferry was sailing in gale-force winds. It was a difficult crossing for the ship. The ferry was heading into a typhoon, one of the most serious in New Zealand history. Eventually, the ship hit a reef, took on water, and started sinking. This documentary is about the story of the rescue of 734 lives. The survivors tell the story of their rescue and their feelings after the accident. *Recommended for research purposes.*
Chernobyl: 35 Years After - VIDEO UNAVAILABLE
The disaster at Chernobyl happened on April 26, 1986. It was the worse nuclear disaster in world history. It still haunts the Ukrainian people to this day. This documentary is about a group of survivors who returned to Prypiat. They discuss their experiences and their feelings about the disaster. Some have broken their silence for the first time. This documentary is German-produced with English translations. *Highly recommend for both high school and middle school classrooms and independent study students.*
Knocking on Heaven's Door - YouTube (58:59)
This is a look at the history of the Soviet Space Program. It started with a mystic named Fedorov Gagarin. The oak trees on his family’s estate inspired him to look to space. He believed that going into space was mankind’s task. Eventually, the Soviets would put a man in space. This documentary tends to focus on the mystical components of how the Soviet space program developed. It is a different look at the space race. *Recommended for research purposes.*
A Very British Witchcraft - YouTube (49:58)
Modern Pagan witchcraft is a distinctly British religion. Wicca is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. Professor Ronald Hutton examines witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism in this documentary called A very British Witchcraft. Oddly, Wicca was born in the 1940s. Gerald Gardner was a nudist who was known as the “King of Witches.” Who was the man behind the birth of Wicca? *Recommended for research purposes.*
Florence Foster Jenkins was known as the world’s worse opera singer and this is her story. This story is narrated from the perspective of a journalist who interviewed her. Florence Foster Jenkins was a flamboyant woman who loved to sing. She planned on performing at Carnegie Hall so the journalist wanted to interview her. Historians and music lovers talk about Florence Foster Jenkins’ life and singing career. *Recommended for research.*
Hidden Killers of the Post War Home - YouTube (58:37)
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the post-World War II home in Hidden Killers of the Post War Home. After the war normalcy slowly came back and with more purchasing power, people could buy more for the home. Unfortunately, there were new dangers introduced in the home. Some dangers include flammable nightgowns and furniture, chemistry sets, and not washing hands. This is a fascinating look at what hidden killers were brought into the home. *Highly recommended for student research purposes.*
Wahine Disaster - YouTube (52:55)
Wahine was a New Zealand Ferry that went down in a storm. The ferry was sailing in gale-force winds. It was a difficult crossing for the ship. The ferry was heading into a typhoon, one of the most serious in New Zealand history. Eventually, the ship hit a reef, took on water, and started sinking. This documentary is about the story of the rescue of 734 lives. The survivors tell the story of their rescue and their feelings after the accident. *Recommended for research purposes.*
Chernobyl: 35 Years After - VIDEO UNAVAILABLE
The disaster at Chernobyl happened on April 26, 1986. It was the worse nuclear disaster in world history. It still haunts the Ukrainian people to this day. This documentary is about a group of survivors who returned to Prypiat. They discuss their experiences and their feelings about the disaster. Some have broken their silence for the first time. This documentary is German-produced with English translations. *Highly recommend for both high school and middle school classrooms and independent study students.*
Knocking on Heaven's Door - YouTube (58:59)
This is a look at the history of the Soviet Space Program. It started with a mystic named Fedorov Gagarin. The oak trees on his family’s estate inspired him to look to space. He believed that going into space was mankind’s task. Eventually, the Soviets would put a man in space. This documentary tends to focus on the mystical components of how the Soviet space program developed. It is a different look at the space race. *Recommended for research purposes.*
A Very British Witchcraft - YouTube (49:58)
Modern Pagan witchcraft is a distinctly British religion. Wicca is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. Professor Ronald Hutton examines witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism in this documentary called A very British Witchcraft. Oddly, Wicca was born in the 1940s. Gerald Gardner was a nudist who was known as the “King of Witches.” Who was the man behind the birth of Wicca? *Recommended for research purposes.*
This List is current as of January 5, 2023
