Edexcel GCSE History key terms

A Nazi award honouring eligible mothers of large families, with bronze, silver and gold levels according to the number of children.

The earth mound supporting the keep in a motte-and-bailey castle.

A castle with a tower on an earth mound and an adjoining enclosed courtyard.

A heavily equipped warrior trained to fight on horseback, usually drawn from wealthy landowning society.

Possessions that could be moved, such as livestock and other goods, rather than land or buildings.

A collective fine imposed on the local community when a murdered Norman’s killer was not caught.

An infantry soldier armed with a musket, a long-barrelled gun loaded through its muzzle.

Soldiers’ collective refusal to obey their officers or military orders.

A small group of farming households that shared labour and resources, such as tools and animals, while retaining private ownership.

The prospect that a nuclear attack would provoke retaliation capable of devastating both opposing sides.

The situation in which opposing nuclear powers could each destroy the other, even after suffering a nuclear attack, discouraging either side from attacking first.

Acceptance by each side of the other’s status or rights. In 1993, Israel accepted the PLO as the Palestinians’ representative, while the PLO recognised Israel’s right to exist in peace.

The killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians by US troops at My Lai in South Vietnam in March 1968.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organisation that supported legal challenges to racial discrimination.

A highly flammable, jelly-like substance used in incendiary bombs, which sticks to surfaces and causes severe burns.

A government’s accumulated borrowing that has not yet been repaid; interest payments add to its costs.

A US military force organised by state that can be called upon to respond to emergencies and civil disorder.

The transfer of privately owned businesses or assets into state ownership.

The belief that a nation’s interests and identity should take priority. Nazi nationalism demanded German unity, territorial expansion and the overturning of the post-war peace settlement.

The legal status connecting a person to a state. Nationality does not necessarily give an unrestricted right to enter or settle in that state.

Britain’s post-war system of compulsory military training and service for young men, followed by service in the reserves.

Historical evidence produced for a country-wide audience or by an organisation working at national level, such as central government records or a national newspaper.

A religious movement led during Malcolm X’s membership by Elijah Muhammad, also known as the Black Muslims. It promoted black separatism, discipline and self-reliance.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, a Western military alliance founded in 1949 on the principle of collective defence.

A labourer employed on major construction projects, such as canals, roads and railways.

The organisation used to bring teachers under Nazi influence through membership and training in Nazi ideas.

A Bible passage, commonly from Psalm 51, used as a reading test to claim benefit of clergy; memorising it could allow a non-clergyman to pass.