Viasat History

From his troubled childhood in Austria to his meteoric rise as Führer of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler's ruthless personality and distorted worldview were shaped by his daily life.

Eleanor became Queen of France whilst still a teenager; after that marriage was annulled, she married English heir Henry and had a strong influence on both the king's and her son's reigns.

Kraftwerk Nord West was one of the largest Nazi bunkers ever; constructed outside of the French town of Watten, it was a missile facility with storage for 108 missiles and two launch pads.

In the eastern Maya Lowlands, a dynasty once shrouded in mystery gradually emerges as the most powerful political force of the Classic Maya world: the Kaanul, identified by their serpent emblem.

The rivalry between Calakmul and Tikal reached its climax. Warfare, once a source of strength, became a catalyst for instability. This set the stage for the decline of the Classic Maya world.

The Serpent dynasty's dominance ended. Under Jasaw Chan K'awiil, Tikal briefly led, but instability grew. Political, ecological and social pressures caused the gradual collapse of the age of Classic Maya.

From his troubled childhood in Austria to his meteoric rise as Führer of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler's ruthless personality and distorted worldview were shaped by his daily life.

Disdain for Spain's wealth in the Americas leads to other European rulers propagating an anti-Spanish narrative; the "Black Legend" is born and heralds the end of the era of conquistadors.

Thousands of people were dosed with LSD by the CIA; did the CIA murder its own people, poison a whole French town, experiment on New Yorkers and assassinate Bobby Kennedy?

From his troubled childhood in Austria to his meteoric rise as Führer of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler's ruthless personality and distorted worldview were shaped by his daily life.

Eleanor became Queen of France whilst still a teenager; after that marriage was annulled, she married English heir Henry and had a strong influence on both the king's and her son's reigns.

During WWI, men had to endure combat and extreme conditions; civilians dealt with food shortages and raids. The insidiousness of ethnic cleansing raised its head, and a young Adolf Hitler took note.

The scars of centuries of conflict are etched into Italy's ancient landmarks; this episode explores how it rose from the devastating failure of fascism to the rebirth of its identity.

Kraftwerk Nord West was one of the largest Nazi bunkers ever; constructed outside of the French town of Watten, it was a missile facility with storage for 108 missiles and two launch pads.

This two-parter charts teams of archaeologists as they undertake digs in and around the iconic Machu Picchu Citadel and Tambo Viejo on the Peruvian coast at never-before-excavated sites.

Archaeologists hunt for clues to how the mysterious Inca conquered much of South America, and why, when Europeans arrived, the mighty empire crumbled.

Laser surveys lead the team to undiscovered jungle temples, ground-penetrating radar reveals how kings took new territory, and could a huge jungle pyramid expose the makings of a mysterious cult?

The team uses drones to explore one of the world's largest ancient water systems, and ancient weapons and traces of a colossal iron industry reveal the truth behind the power of the Khmer military.

Stalin rises as the leader of the Bolsheviks, and in Munich, the German Workers Party takes a new name: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter, or "Nazi" as it would come to be called.

France faced a tumultuous journey during and after WWII; this episode captures France's struggle, resilience and rebirth and shows how architecture became a powerful symbol of recovery and renewal.

For more than 3,000 years, the Maya civilisation flourished in Mesoamerica, developing cities, a sophisticated writing system, and an advanced understanding of time, astronomy, and the natural world.

Thanks to exceptional excavations in four lost cities of the Mongol empire, archaeologists are revealing the visionary society created by Genghis Khan in the 13th century A.D. / C.E.

To determine how Der Führer's secrets may have shaped the man behind the tyrant, we need to examine his troubled childhood and sociopathic personality.

Boudica's husband Prasutagus, who was chief of the Iceni, died before Roman invaders beat her and had her daughters raped; in revenge, Boudica and her army razed Roman cities to the ground.

As the Red Army approached a forest in Poland toward the end of the war, they stumbled upon a complex containing more than 1,000 structures across 25 square kilometres.

This two-parter charts teams of archaeologists as they undertake digs in and around the iconic Machu Picchu Citadel and Tambo Viejo on the Peruvian coast at never-before-excavated sites.

Archaeologists hunt for clues to how the mysterious Inca conquered much of South America, and why, when Europeans arrived, the mighty empire crumbled.

Laser surveys lead the team to undiscovered jungle temples, ground-penetrating radar reveals how kings took new territory, and could a huge jungle pyramid expose the makings of a mysterious cult?

The team uses drones to explore one of the world's largest ancient water systems, and ancient weapons and traces of a colossal iron industry reveal the truth behind the power of the Khmer military.

To determine how Der Führer's secrets may have shaped the man behind the tyrant, we need to examine his troubled childhood and sociopathic personality.

Experts investigate the ancient and enigmatic construction of Gobekli Tepe.

To determine how Der Führer's secrets may have shaped the man behind the tyrant, we need to examine his troubled childhood and sociopathic personality.

Boudica's husband Prasutagus, who was chief of the Iceni, died before Roman invaders beat her and had her daughters raped; in revenge, Boudica and her army razed Roman cities to the ground.

Stalin rises as the leader of the Bolsheviks, and in Munich, the German Workers Party takes a new name: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter, or "Nazi" as it would come to be called.

France faced a tumultuous journey during and after WWII; this episode captures France's struggle, resilience and rebirth and shows how architecture became a powerful symbol of recovery and renewal.

As the Red Army approached a forest in Poland toward the end of the war, they stumbled upon a complex containing more than 1,000 structures across 25 square kilometres.

The accidental discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus sparked an age of exploration for the Spanish Empire - and a dark new chapter in the history of the Americas.

Columbus' return voyage to the Americas began with bloodshed when he discovered that the Spanish left behind at Hispaniola were killed by the indigenous Taíno.

The ruthlessly ambitious Hernán Cortés travels deep into the Mexican interior to conquer the Aztecs, one of the greatest empires in the Americas.

Spanning from the Columbian mountains to the deserts of Peru, the discoveries made in this archaeological investigation revolutionise our perception of gold and its role over the last 500 years.

Hitler and Stalin begin to shape the course of history. President Roosevelt attempts to raise his country out of the Depression, and the world teeters on the brink of yet another World War.

In the summer of 1940, Churchill had taken power and the decision to arrest UK citizens originating from Germany, Austria and Italy; many were perfectly innocent men and some were Jewish refugees.

In the eastern Maya Lowlands, a dynasty once shrouded in mystery gradually emerges as the most powerful political force of the Classic Maya world: the Kaanul, identified by their serpent emblem.

Did the Trojan War really happen? (1 of 2)

How could a nobody become a dictator, bringing down a democracy in just a few years?.

In 2023, three amateur codebreakers decoded 57 long-lost letters from Mary, Queen of Scots, uncovering a hidden correspondence preserved in the French National Library after a year of remote collaboration.

A secret weapons programme in the heart of Austria could have ended badly for the Allies and may have indicated nuclear plans being concocted by Hitler.

The accidental discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus sparked an age of exploration for the Spanish Empire - and a dark new chapter in the history of the Americas.

Columbus' return voyage to the Americas began with bloodshed when he discovered that the Spanish left behind at Hispaniola were killed by the indigenous Taíno.

The ruthlessly ambitious Hernán Cortés travels deep into the Mexican interior to conquer the Aztecs, one of the greatest empires in the Americas.

Spanning from the Columbian mountains to the deserts of Peru, the discoveries made in this archaeological investigation revolutionise our perception of gold and its role over the last 500 years.

How could a nobody become a dictator, bringing down a democracy in just a few years?.

Experts explore the traditional story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

How could a nobody become a dictator, bringing down a democracy in just a few years?.

In 2023, three amateur codebreakers decoded 57 long-lost letters from Mary, Queen of Scots, uncovering a hidden correspondence preserved in the French National Library after a year of remote collaboration.

Hitler and Stalin begin to shape the course of history. President Roosevelt attempts to raise his country out of the Depression, and the world teeters on the brink of yet another World War.

In the summer of 1940, Churchill had taken power and the decision to arrest UK citizens originating from Germany, Austria and Italy; many were perfectly innocent men and some were Jewish refugees.

A secret weapons programme in the heart of Austria could have ended badly for the Allies and may have indicated nuclear plans being concocted by Hitler.

Following the success of Hernán Cortés over the Aztecs, conquistador Francisco Pizarro sets his sights on conquering the Incas, the largest civilisation in the Americas.

Spanish colonies have grown throughout the Americas after decades of conquests, but the Spanish monarchy struggles to control the guardians of "New Spain" from afar.

Disdain for Spain's wealth in the Americas leads to other European rulers propagating an anti-Spanish narrative; the "Black Legend" is born and heralds the end of the era of conquistadors.

In southern Peru stands an Inca city uninhabited for several centuries but still virtually intact: Machu Picchu. We discover the secrets behind its construction and the genius of the Inca builders.

Hitler's invasion of the Rhineland was a gamble that paid off as his push west remained unchecked; while the leaders of Europe attempt 'peace', Kristallnacht signalled the horrors yet to come to many.

Explore the invasion of Poland at the start of World War II and the creation of the Underground Army, a resistance movement that became the most powerful of its kind in Europe.

The rivalry between Calakmul and Tikal reached its climax. Warfare, once a source of strength, became a catalyst for instability. This set the stage for the decline of the Classic Maya world.

Did the Trojan War really happen? (2 of 2)

How did Hitler succeed in transforming a republic into a "Führer state" in such a short time?.

Viasat History. From a rejected, illegitimate child to England's longest-reigning and one of its most successful monarchs, we explore Elizabeth I's legacy through her complicated bond with her mother, Anne Boleyn.

Nazism and fascism shared a hatred for the Freemasons, the most powerful society of their times; we investigate the reasons for fascism's obsession with Freemasonry and uncover its consequences.

Following the success of Hernán Cortés over the Aztecs, conquistador Francisco Pizarro sets his sights on conquering the Incas, the largest civilisation in the Americas.

Spanish colonies have grown throughout the Americas after decades of conquests, but the Spanish monarchy struggles to control the guardians of "New Spain" from afar.

Disdain for Spain's wealth in the Americas leads to other European rulers propagating an anti-Spanish narrative; the "Black Legend" is born and heralds the end of the era of conquistadors.

In southern Peru stands an Inca city uninhabited for several centuries but still virtually intact: Machu Picchu. We discover the secrets behind its construction and the genius of the Inca builders.

How did Hitler succeed in transforming a republic into a "Führer state" in such a short time?.

The remains of 7,000 humans were discovered in the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Malta's Neolithic temple; could the temple reveal the mystery of who they belonged to and what happened to its owners?

Experts explore the traditional story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

How did Hitler succeed in transforming a republic into a "Führer state" in such a short time?.

Viasat History. From a rejected, illegitimate child to England's longest-reigning and one of its most successful monarchs, we explore Elizabeth I's legacy through her complicated bond with her mother, Anne Boleyn.

Hitler's invasion of the Rhineland was a gamble that paid off as his push west remained unchecked; while the leaders of Europe attempt 'peace', Kristallnacht signalled the horrors yet to come to many.

Explore the invasion of Poland at the start of World War II and the creation of the Underground Army, a resistance movement that became the most powerful of its kind in Europe.

Nazism and fascism shared a hatred for the Freemasons, the most powerful society of their times; we investigate the reasons for fascism's obsession with Freemasonry and uncover its consequences.

Once the most powerful empire in history, Rome collapsed in 476 A.D. / C.E. - but was it truly the barbarian invasions that ended it? We uncover some deeper causes such as plagues and climate shifts.

The Carthaginian Empire was a Mediterranean superpower that dominated trade and warfare, but Rome annihilated it in 146 B.C. / B.C.E; what led to its downfall?

The Great Pyramids stand as a testament to Egypt's power, but the Old Kingdom collapsed by 2200 B.C. / B.C.E; what caused the fall of the Pyramid Age?

After a snub in Munich, the Soviets make a pact with the Germans; with the invasion of Poland, the pretence of peace is gone as France and the UK declare war on Germany.

The Polish underground state wages a propaganda war - meanwhile, military intelligence steals the greatest German secrets of ballistic missiles, and there is a daring escape from Pawiak prison.

The Serpent dynasty's dominance ended. Under Jasaw Chan K'awiil, Tikal briefly led, but instability grew. Political, ecological and social pressures caused the gradual collapse of the age of Classic Maya.

We reveal the ground-breaking science being used by Professor Brent Seales as he attempts to be the first person in nearly 2,000 years to read inside the ancient scrolls found in Herculaneum.

Hitler had outwardly emphasised his will for peace, yet he committed his top commanders once he came to power to a war of extermination that would secure the German Reich's supremacy in Europe.

Viasat History. Eight attempts were made on Queen Victoria's life during her 63-year reign. We uncover the motives of the would-be assassins, and explore how Victoria's resilience helped shape modern monarchy.

Nazism and fascism shared a hatred for the Freemasons, the most powerful society of their times; we investigate the reasons for fascism's obsession with Freemasonry and uncover its consequences.

Once the most powerful empire in history, Rome collapsed in 476 A.D. / C.E. - but was it truly the barbarian invasions that ended it? We uncover some deeper causes such as plagues and climate shifts.

The Carthaginian Empire was a Mediterranean superpower that dominated trade and warfare, but Rome annihilated it in 146 B.C. / B.C.E; what led to its downfall?

The Great Pyramids stand as a testament to Egypt's power, but the Old Kingdom collapsed by 2200 B.C. / B.C.E; what caused the fall of the Pyramid Age?

Hitler had outwardly emphasised his will for peace, yet he committed his top commanders once he came to power to a war of extermination that would secure the German Reich's supremacy in Europe.

In the summer of 1940, Churchill had taken power and the decision to arrest UK citizens originating from Germany, Austria and Italy; many were perfectly innocent men and some were Jewish refugees.

Explore the invasion of Poland at the start of World War II and the creation of the Underground Army, a resistance movement that became the most powerful of its kind in Europe.

The Polish underground state wages a propaganda war - meanwhile, military intelligence steals the greatest German secrets of ballistic missiles, and there is a daring escape from Pawiak prison.

How could a nobody become a dictator, bringing down a democracy in just a few years?.

How did Hitler succeed in transforming a republic into a "Führer state" in such a short time?.

Hitler had outwardly emphasised his will for peace, yet he committed his top commanders once he came to power to a war of extermination that would secure the German Reich's supremacy in Europe.

The Berlin Olympics of 1936 were innovative, introducing television coverage and the torch relay. We show the highlights, but also how Hitler used the Games as propaganda for his brutal regime.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Nazis had the finest airforce in the entire world; James Holland learns how internecine squabbles led the Nazi High Command on the catastrophic road to defeat.

James Holland uncovers the truth behind Hitler's feared Panzer divisions and explores how the German obsession with over-engineering their armoured vehicles brought about their downfall.

James Holland explores the U-boat fleet - from one-man torpedoes to the Type XXI - and uncovers how Hitler's failure to understand maritime warfare held the key to the outcome of World War II.

From Lugers to MG42 machine guns and the Pak40 anti-tank gun, James Holland uncovers how the craftsmanship of German weapons engineering was totally unsuited to fighting a long attritional war.

He is infamous for ordering the murder of all first-born male children in an attempt to prevent the coming of the Son of God Jesus Christ, but Herod may not be as evil as the Bible made out.

Explore the stories of six formidable rulers, revealing their dark legacies and the impact they've had on history.

He famously tinkered as Rome burnt, but the legend of Nero commonly accepted as true is pure myth; he was, however, responsible for some of the worst crimes committed by a Roman emperor.

The Weimar Republic collapses, the Nazis enter government; between 1933 and 1935 Hitler's grip on power becomes absolute and the Nazi flag flies everywhere - the Nazification of Germany is complete.

1935-1940: living with Hitler now means living in a Germany that is shaped according to the Führer's vision - work, church, school, the Olympics, Kristallnacht, Munich, and finally war.

In this series we explore the realities of everyday life in Nazi Germany, how people lived, and how they then recovered from the experience of living under Nazism.

A series that views the most violent and significant episodes in modern history from a fresh perspective - not as two world wars, but as a continuous narrative of error, ambition, and courage.

During WWI, men had to endure combat and extreme conditions; civilians dealt with food shortages and raids. The insidiousness of ethnic cleansing raised its head, and a young Adolf Hitler took note.

Stalin rises as the leader of the Bolsheviks, and in Munich, the German Workers Party takes a new name: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter, or "Nazi" as it would come to be called.

Hitler and Stalin begin to shape the course of history. President Roosevelt attempts to raise his country out of the Depression, and the world teeters on the brink of yet another World War.

Hitler's invasion of the Rhineland was a gamble that paid off as his push west remained unchecked; while the leaders of Europe attempt 'peace', Kristallnacht signalled the horrors yet to come to many.

Experts explore the traditional story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Eleanor became Queen of France whilst still a teenager; after that marriage was annulled, she married English heir Henry and had a strong influence on both the king's and her son's reigns.

Boudica's husband Prasutagus, who was chief of the Iceni, died before Roman invaders beat her and had her daughters raped; in revenge, Boudica and her army razed Roman cities to the ground.

September 10th, 1898: Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni stabs the Austrian Empress Elisabeth with a file. The murder of the Empress is the beginning of a political struggle against anarchism in Europe.

Viasat History. From a rejected, illegitimate child to England's longest-reigning and one of its most successful monarchs, we explore Elizabeth I's legacy through her complicated bond with her mother, Anne Boleyn.

Viasat History. How intimate was Queen Victoria's relationship with her Highland servant John Brown? Criminal barrister Rob Rinder and British historian Dr Fern Riddell uncover the truth behind the rumour.

Viasat History. Eight attempts were made on Queen Victoria's life during her 63-year reign. We uncover the motives of the would-be assassins, and explore how Victoria's resilience helped shape modern monarchy.

In 2023, three amateur codebreakers decoded 57 long-lost letters from Mary, Queen of Scots, uncovering a hidden correspondence preserved in the French National Library after a year of remote collaboration.

A series that views the most violent and significant episodes in modern history from a fresh perspective - not as two world wars, but as a continuous narrative of error, ambition, and courage.

During WWI, men had to endure combat and extreme conditions; civilians dealt with food shortages and raids. The insidiousness of ethnic cleansing raised its head, and a young Adolf Hitler took note.

Stalin rises as the leader of the Bolsheviks, and in Munich, the German Workers Party takes a new name: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter, or "Nazi" as it would come to be called.

Hitler and Stalin begin to shape the course of history. President Roosevelt attempts to raise his country out of the Depression, and the world teeters on the brink of yet another World War.

Hitler's invasion of the Rhineland was a gamble that paid off as his push west remained unchecked; while the leaders of Europe attempt 'peace', Kristallnacht signalled the horrors yet to come to many.

The Knights Templar were established as a special religious-military order within the tradition of medieval knighthood, but the rise and fall of the Order involves several secrets and mysteries.

Discover the developments that led the famous Knights Templar to extreme power; they subsequently became the target of specific accusations arranged by the French court.

The Knights Templar left a legacy both visible - with castles, villages, and abbeys - and invisible through long-lasting traditions claiming the survival of individuals belonging to the Order.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Nazis had the finest airforce in the entire world; James Holland learns how internecine squabbles led the Nazi High Command on the catastrophic road to defeat.

James Holland uncovers the truth behind Hitler's feared Panzer divisions and explores how the German obsession with over-engineering their armoured vehicles brought about their downfall.

James Holland explores the U-boat fleet - from one-man torpedoes to the Type XXI - and uncovers how Hitler's failure to understand maritime warfare held the key to the outcome of World War II.

From Lugers to MG42 machine guns and the Pak40 anti-tank gun, James Holland uncovers how the craftsmanship of German weapons engineering was totally unsuited to fighting a long attritional war.

September 10th, 1898: Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni stabs the Austrian Empress Elisabeth with a file. The murder of the Empress is the beginning of a political struggle against anarchism in Europe.

Hitler had outwardly emphasised his will for peace, yet he committed his top commanders once he came to power to a war of extermination that would secure the German Reich's supremacy in Europe.

Viasat History. Eight attempts were made on Queen Victoria's life during her 63-year reign. We uncover the motives of the would-be assassins, and explore how Victoria's resilience helped shape modern monarchy.

After a snub in Munich, the Soviets make a pact with the Germans; with the invasion of Poland, the pretence of peace is gone as France and the UK declare war on Germany.

The Polish underground state wages a propaganda war - meanwhile, military intelligence steals the greatest German secrets of ballistic missiles, and there is a daring escape from Pawiak prison.

Nazism and fascism shared a hatred for the Freemasons, the most powerful society of their times; we investigate the reasons for fascism's obsession with Freemasonry and uncover its consequences.

Viasat History. From a rejected, illegitimate child to England's longest-reigning and one of its most successful monarchs, we explore Elizabeth I's legacy through her complicated bond with her mother, Anne Boleyn.

In 2023, three amateur codebreakers decoded 57 long-lost letters from Mary, Queen of Scots, uncovering a hidden correspondence preserved in the French National Library after a year of remote collaboration.

Viasat History. How intimate was Queen Victoria's relationship with her Highland servant John Brown? Criminal barrister Rob Rinder and British historian Dr Fern Riddell uncover the truth behind the rumour.

September 10th, 1898: Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni stabs the Austrian Empress Elisabeth with a file. The murder of the Empress is the beginning of a political struggle against anarchism in Europe.

Operation Barbarossa's endgame does not come to fruition; with the world distracted, Japan launch their attack on Pearl Harbor, forcing American isolationists to join the war in earnest.

Poland's underground courts work to ensure the safety of the underground networks; diversion operations against the occupier are instigated, and Polish elite units from England enter the action.

Why do civilisations collapse? Follow archaeologists as they examine ruins across the world and uncover the reasons why some of history's greatest civilisations vanished.

We begin by profiling three unlikely revolutionaries: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.