Edexcel GCSE History key terms

A condition that can be passed from parents to children through their genes.

A religious belief judged contrary to the Church’s accepted doctrine.

A system in which people or institutions are ranked above and below one another in status or authority.

A bomb whose explosive blast destroys buildings and can scatter dangerous fragments.

An offence involving an attempt to overthrow or betray the state.

Stealing from travellers on roads by using violence or threats.

The Caribbean island now divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where Columbus founded La Navidad in 1492.

The conditions surrounding an event or development, such as political authority, religious beliefs and economic activity.

An investigation of the past in which a focused question is answered by selecting, analysing and evaluating evidence.

Material from which historians obtain evidence about the past, such as a photograph, newspaper, official record or memoir.

The Nazi youth movement, organised into branches by age and sex. Its older boys’ branch trained boys aged 14–18 for loyalty to Hitler and future military service.

A house of multiple occupation: accommodation occupied by separate households or tenants who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

A deliberate deception, such as a letter falsely claiming to have been written by a murderer.

A network of supply routes through Laos and Cambodia used to move troops, weapons and food from North Vietnam to communist forces fighting in South Vietnam.

The name given to the devastating famine in Soviet Ukraine that culminated in 1933.

The region of the Middle East associated with the life of Jesus Christ, including parts of modern Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

A large collection of territories in central Europe ruled by numerous princes and other rulers under an elected emperor. Charles V became emperor in 1519.

A formal acknowledgement of loyalty and service owed by a tenant to their lord.

Civilian activity and organisation within a country at war, including producing supplies, maintaining food production and supporting the armed forces.

The government minister directly responsible for the Metropolitan Police, including appointing its commissioner.

A settler who claimed public land to establish a farm and home.

A person held as a guarantee that someone else will fulfil an obligation, such as paying an agreed sum of money.

The direct communications link agreed between Washington and Moscow in June 1963 to help their leaders communicate quickly during crises.

A highly trained professional household soldier serving an Anglo-Saxon king or noble, often equipped with a large battleaxe.

Professional warriors who served kings and earls in Anglo-Saxon England.

An institution where people considered unwilling to work could be confined and made to work.

The powerful Anglo-Saxon aristocratic family of Earl Godwin, including Harold, Tostig, Gyrth, Leofwine and Edith.