Edexcel GCSE History Key Terms

The forced incorporation of Normandy into the French royal domain following the fall of Château Gaillard and Rouen.

The exact date when East German forces officially closed the border between East and West Berlin, initiating the construction of the barrier.

A change to the US Constitution that ensures all citizens receive 'equal protection of the laws'.

The exact total of Richard I's ransom, equivalent to roughly £100,000 or over three years of the English Crown's annual income.

A military campaign where Wolsey successfully managed the complex logistics of food, weapons, and transport, proving his worth to Henry VIII.

A highly unpopular tax originally granted to fund a war, but collected during peacetime in 1536, targeting an unprecedented total of £80,000.

A law that declared both Mary and Elizabeth illegitimate, ensuring only children from Henry's marriage to Jane Seymour could inherit the throne.

A law designed to prevent the gentry from using legal loopholes to avoid paying inheritance taxes (feudal incidents) to the King.

A 1570 census of the poor in Norwich which showed that 80% of the population lived in poverty.

Law passed following the Papal Bull making it high treason to deny Elizabeth as the lawful Queen of England.

An 1870 addition to the US Constitution that theoretically guaranteed citizens the right to vote regardless of their race.

A law that made poaching a capital offence to protect the property of wealthy landowners.

The provisional military demarcation line established to separate Viet Minh forces in the North and French forces in the South.

A prison reform law championed by Robert Peel that mandated separating male and female prisoners and providing doctors.

The legislation establishing the first professional, centralised police force in London.

The first major health law in Britain; it was non-compulsory and allowed towns to set up local boards of health.

A law that gave the vote to working-class men in towns, creating the political pressure necessary for the government to pass public health reforms.

A compulsory law that forced local councils to provide clean water and sewage systems, marking a turning point in government intervention.

The first UK law to restrict immigration, specifically targeting 'undesirable' migrants while allowing those fleeing persecution.

The 1915 shortage of high-explosive artillery shells on the Western Front, which led to public scandal and government reform.

A comprehensive statistical record of the civilian population created in September 1939 to manage rationing and identity cards.

The conflict that began on May 15, 1948, when five Arab nations invaded the former British Mandate territory following the declaration of the State of Israel.

Legislation that granted Commonwealth citizens the right to live and work in the UK, initiating the Windrush era of migration.

Legislation that removed rent controls, allowing landlords to charge market rates and often leading to the exploitation of vulnerable tenants.

The modern legislation that suspended the death penalty in Britain.

The UK's first anti-discrimination law, which outlawed discrimination in public places but notably failed to cover private housing, employment, or the police.

Expanded the 1965 law to prohibit discrimination in housing and employment, but still failed to apply to the police force.

The formal agreement signed at Wadi Araba that ended decades of war between Israel and Jordan, establishing secure borders and diplomatic ties.

A major piece of UK public health legislation that made it illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places and workplaces.

The massive wave of approximately 100,000 migrants who travelled to California in 1849 searching for gold.