OCR GCSE History A key terms

A settlement imposed rather than freely negotiated; many Germans used this term to describe the Treaty of Versailles.

A practice in China through which a child could take over a parent’s job when the parent retired.

Negotiation between countries to manage their relationships and settle disagreements.

Action intended to influence decisions through intervention or disruption, rather than relying only on voting, petitions or lobbying.

Reducing armed forces or the weapons available to them.

Unfair treatment of people because of characteristics such as their race, including denying them jobs, housing or services.

The removal or denial of a person’s ability to vote.

The withdrawal of investment from a country or its businesses.

The closure of religious houses under Henry VIII and the transfer of their property to the Crown.

A community whose residents come from several different national, ethnic or cultural backgrounds.

The belief that a monarch’s authority came from God, rather than being granted by Parliament or the people.

The belief that a monarch’s authority comes from God, rather than being granted by the people or Parliament.

The religious beliefs officially taught by a Church.

A written record that historians use to investigate the past, such as a royal grant, letter or newspaper article.

The record compiled from William I’s survey of 1086, documenting landholding, resources, estate values and tax assessments across much of England.

The belief that one country becoming communist would lead neighbouring countries to become communist in turn.

The Defence of the Realm Act, which gave the British government emergency powers during the First World War.

The combined burden of paid employment and unpaid work at home, such as cooking, cleaning and childcare.

Compulsory recruitment into the armed forces in the United States.

A sequence of rulers belonging to the same family.

A leading Anglo-Saxon noble who governed a large region on the king’s behalf and helped lead royal forces.

A trading company founded in 1600 whose commerce brought goods including Indian cotton textiles and Chinese tea to Britain.

A period of rapid economic growth, with rising production, sales and business activity.

A severe, prolonged economic downturn involving falling production and trade, business failures and widespread unemployment.

An effect on employment, production, trade, income or wealth.

The use of economic power to extend influence over other countries. Soviet leaders used this accusation against the Marshall Plan.

The rapid growth of West German production, employment and prosperity during the 1950s.