Key terms & definitions

A movement bringing together opponents of South Vietnam’s government, which became dominated by communists. Its armed fighters were known as the Vietcong.

The higher statutory minimum hourly pay rate for eligible workers in the older age group. It is part of the legal minimum-wage system.

The legal minimum hourly wage for eligible workers aged 21 and over in the UK.

A country's own climate-action pledge under the Paris Agreement, including its emissions-reduction targets.

Movement of people to live in another place within the same country.

The legal minimum hourly pay for eligible workers, with different rates applying to different age groups and apprentices.

The legally required minimum hourly pay for eligible workers, with rates depending on age and apprenticeship status.

A national, cultural or linguistic group that forms a smaller part of a country’s population than the dominant group.

An organisation founded in the USA in 1966 to campaign for women's equality through lobbying, legal challenges and pressure for enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.

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.

A designated landscape managed to conserve its special qualities and provide opportunities for people to enjoy it.

The principle that a national group should be able to decide its own political future.

Britain’s post-war system of compulsory military training and service for young men, followed by service in the reserves.

Historical evidence produced for a country-wide audience or by an organisation working at national level, such as central government records or a national newspaper.

A government body established by Roosevelt in January 1942 to settle labour disputes affecting war production; its authority later expanded to controlling most wage increases.

A religious movement led during Malcolm X’s membership by Elijah Muhammad, also known as the Black Muslims. It promoted black separatism, discipline and self-reliance.

An American religious and political movement in which Malcolm X became a minister and spokesman. During his membership, it promoted black nationalism and racial separation; its racial teachings should not be equated with mainstream Islam.

A sovereign state associated with a shared sense of national identity.

A metal found naturally as an uncombined element rather than chemically combined in a compound.

Hostility towards immigrants based on the belief that established inhabitants and their culture should take priority.

The birth of Jesus, especially as recounted in the Gospels and represented in Christmas plays or scenes.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization: a military alliance established in 1949 by the USA, Canada and Western European countries to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation: a political and military alliance whose members cooperate over their security.

Bacteria normally living in parts of the body, such as the gut and vagina, that can help protect against infection by competing with pathogenic bacteria.

The difference between births and deaths in a population. It is positive when births exceed deaths and negative when deaths exceed births.

A system that groups organisms according to their evolutionary relationships and shared ancestry, using evidence from several kinds of characteristic.

A system that groups organisms according to their evolutionary relationships and common ancestry.

Population decline caused by deaths outnumbering births, excluding migration.

A timber's natural resistance to decay, particularly when exposed to damp conditions.