The Holocaust

Holocaust memorial day is next month on January 27th. It is a time to reflect on the horrific events that led to the deaths of over 6 million Jews and other minorities as a result of the Nazi extermination campaign during the Second World War. Unfortunately similar atrocities have continued to occur. This hard-hitting video looks at the issue and provides us with plenty of food for thought.



For more information on the Holocaust take a look at this series of animated maps by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Domesday Book

The Domesday Book is the name given to the Great Survey carried out on the orders of William the Conqueror after he became King of England. The survey contained a vast array of information on who owned what throughout the country and helped him raise money through taxation of his new subjects. The Domesday Book is one of the earliest public records in English history.

Take a look at the national archive site for extra information, games and videos on the Domesday Book. Look at the section on Interpreting the Domesday Book to understand how to decipher the language.

The Congress of Vienna

Europe's leading statesmen assembled at Vienna between 1814-1815 to decide upon the fate of the continent after over 20 years of conflict caused by the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The Settlement aimed to maintain peace and security for Europe.

Take a look at this excellent animated map for an overview of the changes that took place during this period.

Remembrance Day

The First World War came to an end 92 years ago. Traditionally the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of each year is the time we remember all those who died in wars. Have a look at this video in memory of the soldiers who died in the conflict. it is accompanied by the Last Post. You'll also find a link explaining why the poppy is used as a symbol of remembrance and some poetry from the First World War.



Why the poppy?

For more information look at these links to previous posts on the Blog and an article on the BBC.
Harry Patch
Special Remembrance Day Service

Also worth looking at is the dramatised BBC clip on Wilfred Owen's famous war poem Dulce et Decorum est and John McCrae's In Flanders Fields.

20th Anniversary of German Reunification

October 3rd, 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of German reunification with the merging of the capitalist West and the Communist East. It is also the day on which Germany made her final reparations payment imposed after the First World War.

Take a look at the following articles from the BBC which examine the story in more depth:
Anniversary of Reunification
Reparations payments

While this video takes a brief look at the events from the Fall of the Wall to Reunification.

The Blitz

On the 70th anniversary of The Blitz, it is worth taking a look at the marvellous American propaganda film "London Can Take It" designed to garner support for Britain in the USA.

The French Revolution

One of the most momentous events in modern history, the French Revolution was caused by the interaction of long-term, structural problems associated with the Ancien Regime, new Enlightment ideas that challenged the old order and a short term financial and economic crisis that were exacerbated by an hesitant and politically inept king (Louis XVI.

For a good introduction to the topic try looking at the following videos from a History Channel documentary on the subject on You Tube. Parts 2, 3 and 4 are the ones to watch for events up to the storming of the Bastille.

And for an outline of events try looking at the Spark Notes site on the Revolution.

The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was one of the most important conflicts of the Cold War era. Take a look at the following sites for an overview of the war and some thoughts on its significance.

Overview and index of key figures and events from Spartacus

The History Learning Site

BBC Web pages on the war

The Vietnam War in pictures

The National Archives
Was Vietnam a turning point in the Cold War?

Battle of Britain 70th anniversary

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain when the German Luftwaffe began a campaign to gain air superiority over Britain in order to mount an invasion of the British Isles. The Battle, which began in the summer of 1940, is remembered for the clashes between the British Spitfires and Hurricanes and the German fighters and bombers over southern England and the channel. Here are some resources which will help you find out more about the conflict and enable you to distinguish the myths from the realities.

A handy introduction is provided by Dr Chris Bellamy for the BBC and in the lengthy American wartime propaganda film shown below:



You can listen to Churchill's pre Battle of Britain speech here:




And you can hear his famous "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" speech here.

Follow these links for further information on the Battle of Britain:

The BBC Archive (an excellent resource)
The Cost
Why Germany Lost
The Few


And finally here is a nice video of BBC Radio presenter Evan Davis experiencing what it is like to fly in a Spitfire.

The Normans

To mark the BBC series on the legacy of the Normans, they have set up a new web page on the Norman Conquest. Click on the link to find some great material that will be really useful for Year 7 students and anyone else interested in the Medieval period.