Edexcel GCSE History key terms

The Soviet economic policy introduced in 1921, which allowed limited private enterprise and market trading while the state retained control of major industries.

France’s colonial possessions in North America, including Canada.

Spanish legislation introduced in 1542 to protect Indigenous people from enslavement and exploitation and restrict the encomienda system.

Supporters of the emotional, evangelical religious revivals associated with the Great Awakening.

The permanent army established by Parliament in 1645 to fight across the country rather than being tied to one locality.

An artistic movement that examined contemporary life critically and unsentimentally, including social inequality and the consequences of war.

The name given to Spain’s colonial territory centred on Mexico after the conquest of the Aztec Empire.

A short filmed report of news events, shown in cinemas before the main feature film.

Gorbachev’s approach to international relations, which favoured cooperation and reduced confrontation rather than maintaining Soviet control through military force.

An image of a modern, independent woman associated with paid work, new fashions and greater freedom in the 1920s.

The National Health Service, launched in 1948 to make healthcare available to everyone, largely free at the point of use.

The foreign-policy approach announced by Nixon in 1969: the USA would support its allies, but they should provide the main manpower for their own conventional defence.

The People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs, which included the Soviet secret police and carried out arrests, interrogations and repression under Stalin.

The highest-ranking social group below the monarch, whose members held titles and often owned extensive estates.

The ‘Sad Night’: the Spanish retreat from Tenochtitlan on the night of 30 June 1520, during which many Spaniards and their allies were killed.

A way of life involving movement from place to place rather than living permanently in one settlement.

A way of life involving movement from place to place rather than permanent settlement, often following seasonal food supplies.

The exposed ground between opposing armies’ front-line trenches.

The ground between the opposing armies’ front-line trenches.

An agreement between states not to attack one another.

Military service that does not involve fighting, such as medical or other support duties.

A punishment served outside prison, often involving supervision, unpaid work or restrictions.

The refusal to import goods from another country; colonists used non-importation of British goods to challenge British policies.

Challenging injustice through actions such as marches and sit-ins without using violence, even when opponents respond violently.

Action that directly challenges injustice without using physical violence, such as boycotts and peaceful demonstrations.

The reversal of the Prague Spring reforms and restoration of strict communist control in Czechoslovakia after the 1968 invasion.

The variety of French spoken by the Norman ruling class after the conquest of England.