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GCSE History · key term
The confidence, determination and willingness of people to keep going during hardship.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Paper 1
The confidence and willingness of people or armed forces to keep going, especially during hardship or fighting.
Revise: Germany SurrendersHunger damaged civilian health and morale, while shortages of materials weakened Germany’s ability to sustain its war effort.
Paper 1
Revise: The Blitz, V-weapon Attacks and Impact on CiviliansDeath, homelessness, poor shelter conditions and exhaustion all threatened morale—people’s confidence and determination to keep going. The government worried that repeated attacks and inadequate protection could weaken civilian willingness to continue the war.
People’s confidence, determination and willingness to carry on during difficult circumstances.
Paper 1, Paper 2
The willingness of soldiers to continue serving and fighting, influenced by confidence, rewards, exhaustion and their treatment by commanders.
Revise: Alexander’s Relationship with his ArmyAfter Gaugamela, the army rested at Babylon. Such measures supported morale—the soldiers’ willingness and confidence to continue serving. However, rewards depended partly on successful conquest and plunder.
The confidence, enthusiasm and willingness of troops to continue carrying out their task.
Paper 3
The confidence and willingness of soldiers to continue fighting, particularly during hardship or danger.
Revise: Defeat of KerboghaHunger and danger made morale crucial. On 10 June, Peter Bartholomew claimed that Saint Andrew had appeared to him in visions and revealed the location of the Holy Lance: the spear believed to have pierced Jesus’ side during the crucifixion.
Explain causal links: food shortages weakened morale and encouraged unrest, making it harder for Germany to continue fighting.
Do not assume that a campaign intended to strengthen morale proves that everyone felt confident or supported the government.
Explain the Holy Lance through belief and morale: many crusaders regarded it as a sign of divine support, but its authenticity was disputed.
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