Edexcel GCSE History key terms

Aggressive patriotism that supports forceful foreign policies and war.

Legal responsibility for a crime committed with another person. In Bentley’s case, the prosecution argued that he had encouraged Craig to shoot, although Bentley did not fire the shot.

The Scandinavian name for York during the Viking period.

Anti-government demonstrations in Petrograd in early July 1917 that failed and were followed by arrests of Bolsheviks.

The geographical area or type of work over which an authority has responsibility.

An unpaid local official, usually a substantial landowner, who helped enforce laws and maintain order.

A local magistrate responsible for administering justice, including judging offences and issuing arrest warrants.

Local officials responsible for duties including maintaining order and administering poor relief.

A senior royal official who supervised government and could exercise the king’s authority during his absence.

The German title for emperor; Wilhelm II was Kaiser when Germany’s monarchy collapsed in November 1918.

Strength Through Joy, a Nazi programme within the Labour Front that offered leisure activities and holidays to encourage workers’ loyalty.

The strongly fortified main tower of a medieval castle, which could provide a final refuge for its defenders.

The 1968 report of a commission established by President Johnson to investigate urban riots. It linked unrest to racial inequality, poor living conditions and failures of policing.

An operation carried out through small cuts, using a camera and surgical instruments rather than one large opening.

The Nazi slogan meaning children, kitchen and church, expressing their ideal of women concentrating on motherhood, domestic work and traditional family life.

The North American part of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between Britain and France and their allies in 1744–48.

The position and authority of a king, including his duties, rights and the ceremonies associated with his rule.

The king’s responsibility to maintain order and protect his subjects through the law.

The obligation to provide knights for military service in return for holding land.

A collective farm whose members shared resources and worked to government targets. State demands had to be met before members could benefit from the remaining produce or income.

The German Communist Party, which offered a revolutionary alternative to capitalism and gained support among workers and unemployed people during the Depression.

The ‘Night of Broken Glass’: the Nazi-organised violent attacks on Jewish people, synagogues, homes and businesses on 9–10 November 1938.

A white supremacist organisation that used intimidation and violence against Black Americans and supporters of civil rights.

Originally a relatively wealthy peasant. Under Stalin, the label was also applied to peasants who resisted collectivisation, making them targets for persecution.

Work that an unfree peasant owed to a lord in return for holding land.

An approach in which government avoids interfering in people’s lives and leaves matters largely to individuals or private organisations.

The small Spanish settlement founded on the northern coast of Hispaniola in 1492 after the wreck of the Santa María; Columbus left 39 men there.