OCR GCSE History A key terms

A grant permitting a building or wall to be fortified or provided with battlements. Such grants could also convey prestige and recognition from the ruler.

A rebellion beginning at Louth in October 1536 against religious changes and other grievances, which dispersed after Henry VIII demanded surrender and a royal army assembled.

The ability to read and write.

A reading or writing test used as a condition for registering to vote; discriminatory administration helped exclude African Americans.

The wartime wage policy established in July 1942 that generally limited increases in hourly wage rates to 15 per cent above their January 1941 level, subject to adjustments and exceptions.

The established form of public worship, including the words, prayers and ceremonies used in church services.

The senior membership of a City of London livery company, distinct from ordinary membership.

Trying to persuade politicians or other decision-makers to support a particular policy.

Followers of ideas associated with John Wycliffe who emphasised the authority of the Bible and challenged aspects of Catholic teaching, clerical wealth and religious practice.

The stealing of possessions or supplies by soldiers during warfare.

The title of the head of government under the Protectorate; Oliver Cromwell held this office from December 1653 until his death in 1658.

Organised support for the monarchy and existing constitution, particularly in opposition to revolution.

A tax on selected non-essential goods, such as furs, which raises government revenue and generally increases the cost of buying them.

The killing of someone by a mob without a lawful trial, used as a form of racial terror against African Americans.

Agricultural ideas associated with the Soviet scientist Trofim Lysenko, including close planting and deep sowing, which were imposed in China despite being scientifically flawed.

The charter sealed by King John in 1215 which set out rights and restrictions on royal power as part of an attempted settlement with his opponents.

Army officers appointed to supervise security and moral reform in twelve regions during Cromwell’s Protectorate, beginning in 1655.

An agricultural estate where a lord’s land was worked by peasants who also cultivated land for their own support.

The communist ideas associated with Mao Zedong, promoted as the guiding principles for politics and everyday life in China.

An administrative district along the English–Scottish border. Each kingdom had an East, Middle and West March, supervised by wardens.

The influence of buying, selling, prices and profit on decisions about what to produce and how to produce it.

A Chinese law introduced in 1950 which established freedom of choice in marriage, improved access to divorce and strengthened women’s legal rights.

An American programme of economic assistance to help European recovery and support containment, proposed in 1947 and implemented from 1948. It was named after Secretary of State George Marshall.

The central Catholic service in which bread and wine are consecrated and Christ’s sacrifice is commemorated.

Organising large numbers of people to work towards a government’s political or economic goals.

Producing large quantities of standardised goods, often using machinery and assembly lines.

A weaver who ran a business, secured customers and employed other workers.

The people who controlled silk production and employed or organised other weavers.