Eduqas GCSE History key terms

A situation in which opposing nuclear powers can inflict devastating destruction on each other, even after suffering an initial attack.

A medieval religious play acting out Bible stories in the people’s own language, often forming part of a cycle produced and paid for by a town’s craft guilds.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organisation that used legal challenges and the courts to fight discrimination.

A member of a Nahuatl-speaking indigenous people of central Mexico. Nahua peoples were not a single united political group.

The total outstanding borrowing owed by a government, built up over time.

The National People’s Army of East Germany, founded in 1956.

The publicly funded health service launched on 5 July 1948 to make medical care available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

A system of regular contributions that provides benefits for people facing difficulties such as sickness or unemployment.

The transfer of an industry or business from private ownership to state ownership.

Strong identification with a nation and support for its interests or unity; it can contribute to conflict when national ambitions clash.

A supporter of Irish unity, bringing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland together.

The compulsory labour service in Nazi Germany in which men aged 18–25 served for six months, carrying out public works.

An American organisation campaigning for women’s equality through methods including legal challenges to discrimination.

A designated area of countryside managed to conserve its landscape and support public enjoyment and recreation.

Britain’s post-war system of compulsory peacetime military service, operating from 1949 until call-ups ended in 1960, rather than voluntary enlistment for a military career.

An African-American religious and political movement associated with black pride and racial separation during Malcolm X’s membership.

The belief that the interests of native-born people should be protected against those of immigrants.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation: a military alliance founded in 1949 by the USA, Canada and Western European countries, based on collective defence.

A naturally occurring material that people can use economically, such as coal, oil, iron ore or timber.

The process of planning and following a route, including working out a ship’s position and direction.

The non-aggression agreement signed by Nazi Germany and the USSR in August 1939, which temporarily reduced the threat of war between them.

The agreement signed by Germany and the USSR on 23 August 1939 not to attack one another, with a secret agreement to divide Poland.

A situation in which the debt owed on a property is greater than the property's current value.

Lenin’s New Economic Policy, which allowed some private trade and permitted peasants to sell surplus produce for profit while the state retained control of major industry.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s programme of federal policies introduced from 1933 to provide relief, encourage recovery and reform the US economy.

John F. Kennedy’s programme to tackle poverty, improve education and healthcare, promote economic growth and advance civil rights.

Parliament’s national army established in 1645 during the Civil War, distinguished by military training, regular pay and strict discipline.