History KS3 / GCSE: World War Two with Dan Snow

Historian and presenter Dan Snow introduces some of his favourite clips from the BBC archive, perfect for exploring World War Two with your class.

These short films are split into two categories - The Home Front and The Holocaust.

They're suitable for teaching KS3 and KS4/GCSE history in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/5 history in Scotland.

Highlights include:

  • Andrew Marr looks at the treatment of Italian immigrants in Britain
  • Larry Lamb investigates the use of fake news by Britain during World War Two
  • Neil Oliver examines the plans made by Britain to prepare for a possible German invasion
  • The story of Anka, who survived Auschwitz and gave birth to a daughter, Eva.

The Home Front

Treatment of immigrants in Britain during World War Two
video

Treatment of immigrants in Britain during World War Two

Andrew Marr looks at the internment of Italian immigrants in Britain during World War Two.

How did RAF tactics defeat Germany in the Battle of Britain?
video

How did RAF tactics defeat Germany in the Battle of Britain?

Andrew Marr looks at tactics used by the RAF in the Battle of Britain, focusing on air defences used to protect Britain against the Luftwaffe.

How did Britain use fake news in World War Two?
video

How did Britain use fake news in World War Two?

Larry Lamb investigates the use of fake news by Britain in World War Two, when programmes were broadcast to Germany to persuade them the war was going badly for Germany.

How did Britain prepare for a German invasion in World War Two?
video

How did Britain prepare for a German invasion in World War Two?

Neil Oliver examines the plans made by Britain to prepare for a possible German invasion, with the creation of secret auxiliary units to be a last line of defence.

 

 

The Holocaust

These short films contain scenes which viewers may find upsetting. The films are intended for classroom use but teacher review is recommended prior to watching with your pupils. You know best the limit of your pupils, and BBC Teach does not accept any responsibility for pupil distress.

What does Rudolph Höss' evidence tell us about Auschwitz?
video

What does Rudolph Höss' evidence tell us about Auschwitz?

Dan Snow introduces a report about the role of Rudolph Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, in the Holocaust, based on the testimony he wrote before his trial.

What were conditions like at Auschwitz?
video

What were conditions like at Auschwitz?

Dan Snow introduces a clip about the brutal conditions faced by people at Auschwitz, including testimony from a survivor.

How did Auschwitz expand?
video

How did Auschwitz expand?

Dan Snow introduces a clip about the expansion of Auschwitz to deal with the number of Jewish people being transported to concentration camps.

How did the use of gas chambers develop in the Holocaust?
video

How did the use of gas chambers develop in the Holocaust?

A look at the introduction of gas chambers at Auschwitz, how the Nazis started using gas vans and then going on to use gas chambers at camps.

What happened in the gas chambers at Auschwitz?
video

What happened in the gas chambers at Auschwitz?

A report about the gas chambers at Auschwitz, including some of the testimony from Rudolph Höss.

How did a pregnant woman survive the Holocaust?
video

How did a pregnant woman survive the Holocaust?

The story of Anka, who was pregnant when she arrived at Auschwitz, yet managed to survive and give birth to a daughter, Eva.