History key terms

A large grazing mammal of the Great Plains that supplied food, hides and other resources to Indigenous communities; often called buffalo in historical accounts.

A tactic of capturing limited objectives, securing the captured ground and then making further limited advances.

The combined British and American occupation zones of Germany, joined in January 1947 to support economic recovery.

Organised action to challenge unfair treatment of Black people and campaign for their rights.

Laws introduced by Southern states after slavery ended to restrict African Americans' freedom, employment and behaviour.

A movement encouraging black South Africans to reject racial inferiority, develop pride and organise independently against oppression.

A movement associated with Steve Biko that encouraged black pride, psychological liberation and independent black-led organisation to challenge apartheid.

The devastating outbreak of plague that reached Britain in 1348.

A pottery technique in which figures appear mainly as black silhouettes against the clay-coloured surface, with details incised into them.

A secret Serbian nationalist organisation, formed in 1911, which supported violence to unite Serbs and helped the Sarajevo assassins.

Hills sacred to the Sioux and protected by the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. The arrival of gold prospectors there helped cause the Great Sioux War.

A list of people whom employers refuse to hire because of their alleged beliefs, associations or activities.

Excluding someone from employment because they are regarded as politically unacceptable or otherwise undesirable.

People who supported the British Crown during the American War of Independence. Black Loyalists included formerly enslaved people who fought alongside the British.

Trade outside official controls, such as selling food at prices above those set by the government.

The belief that African Americans should develop their own collective identity, institutions and control over their communities rather than depend on white leadership.

Restrictions on visible lighting intended to make it harder for enemy aircraft to identify targets at night.

An African American political organisation founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966, combining armed self-defence with demands for social change and community support programmes.

A movement emphasising Black pride, self-determination and control over Black institutions; some supporters also advocated armed self-defence.

A craft worker who makes or repairs iron objects; horseshoes are an example of the metalwork needed by a castle household.

A national organisation established in December 1975 to unite women’s organisations around issues including education, housing, labour, rural development and detentions.

Germany’s promise in July 1914 to support Austria-Hungary unconditionally in its confrontation with Serbia.

An offence involving speech or behaviour considered insulting to God or sacred religious beliefs.

Violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups in Kansas following the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854.

The sustained German bombing campaign against London and other British towns and cities, mainly from September 1940 to May 1941.

Meaning ‘lightning war’: rapid attacks intended to defeat an enemy quickly.

An attempt to prevent supplies reaching an enemy country, for example by using warships to stop shipping.

A supply of collected, stored blood kept ready for transfusions.

The continuous movement of blood around the body, driven by the pumping action of the heart.

A continuing conflict in which families take revenge for harm done to their members.