OCR GCSE History A key terms

The Germanic language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, which formed the foundation of the later English language.

James Francis Edward Stuart, son of James VII and II and the claimant supported by the Jacobites in 1715. His opponents called him the Old Pretender because they rejected his claim to the throne.

A Chinese population-control policy introduced in 1979 which sought to limit most couples to one child, although its implementation and exceptions varied.

The US bombing campaign against North Vietnam and its supply routes, lasting from March 1965 to November 1968.

An interpretation of the Cold War’s origins that places the main responsibility on Soviet expansion and presents American policy as a defensive response.

The established critical interpretation that appeasement was a serious misjudgement which failed to prevent war.

Producing more goods or crops than buyers are willing or able to purchase at a profitable price.

The Pan Africanist Congress, an anti-apartheid organisation that organised the anti-pass protest at Sharpeville in March 1960.

A migrant from the Palatinate region of the German Rhine valley; the refugees arriving in England included both Protestants and Catholics.

Permission from the pope to make an exception to a rule of Church law.

The section of the German criminal code banning sexual relations between men, which the Nazis used to prosecute gay men.

An armed group organised along military lines but separate from a state's regular armed forces.

An official forgiveness of an offence, such as rebellion, which protects those covered from punishment for that offence.

The local area served by a parish church and its clergy; also the community belonging to that church.

The agreement signed on 27 January 1973 which provided for a ceasefire, US military withdrawal and the return of American prisoners of war.

An institution consisting of the House of Lords and House of Commons, which participated in making laws and granting taxation under the Tudors.

Supporters of Parliament in its conflict with Charles I.

A system in which the monarch governs within legal limits and increasingly through ministers who depend on support in Parliament.

Protection for Parliament’s proceedings and freedom of speech from interference by the monarch, courts or other outside bodies.

A grant of taxation approved by Parliament to help finance royal government.

The division of British India into the independent states of India and Pakistan in 1947.

Resistance through non-violent acts of refusal or non-cooperation, rather than an armed attempt to overthrow a government.

Laws requiring Black Africans to carry documents proving their identity and permission to be in particular areas, restricting their movement and residence.

A system in which men hold most authority in families and wider society.

Support, appointments or rewards given by a powerful person, such as a monarch, to followers.

Nixon’s stated aim of ending US involvement in Vietnam without appearing to abandon South Vietnam or accept a humiliating defeat.

Laws restricting religious groups outside the established church. In Ireland after the Williamite War, they reinforced Anglican dominance by restricting Catholics’ access to public life and land; some restrictions also affected Protestant Dissenters.

A regular payment intended to support someone after their former employment or way of life has ended.