History key terms

Indigenous Caribbean peoples whom Columbus contrasted with the Taínos and portrayed as fierce and hostile.

A hostile nickname for Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War; they included teachers, former soldiers, officials and businessmen.

A treatment that washed wounds with a sodium hypochlorite antiseptic solution to combat infection.

President Carter’s January 1980 declaration that the USA would use force if necessary to protect the Persian Gulf from outside domination.

Carthage’s governing council, which helped direct the war effort and ordered Hannibal to return from Italy to defend Carthage.

A particular historical event or development studied closely to investigate a wider theme.

The November 1939 policy allowing countries such as Britain and France to buy American weapons if they paid for them and transported them themselves.

A crop grown mainly to sell rather than to feed the people growing it.

Letters allegedly exchanged between Mary, Queen of Scots and Bothwell, presented as evidence that Mary had helped plan Darnley’s murder. Their authenticity was disputed.

A hereditary social group within Indian society, often associated with a traditional occupation.

The keeper of a castle, responsible for its garrison, defences and administration.

A fortified residence and military base where soldiers could defend themselves and control the surrounding area.

An area required to supply resources and soldiers to a castle, governed by the castle’s commander rather than directly by an earl.

Temporary or irregular work without a dependable wage or guarantee of continued employment.

Work offered only when an employer needs labour, without a guarantee of regular employment or earnings.

People killed, wounded or taken prisoner during military operations; the term does not mean deaths alone.

A section of a workhouse providing basic, short-term accommodation for homeless people travelling or seeking work.

The nickname for the 1913 law allowing hunger-striking prisoners to be temporarily released when seriously ill and rearrested after recovering.

A Christian who recognises the pope as the head of the Catholic Church.

A branch of Christianity recognising the authority of the pope in Rome; its clergy and religious orders organised missionary work in New Spain.

A branch of Christianity which recognises the pope’s authority and teaches that the bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood during Mass.

A wealthy rancher who owned large cattle herds and exercised considerable economic and political influence.

A journey in which cowboys herded cattle to a market, railhead or another grazing area.

The business of breeding, raising, transporting and selling cattle, particularly for beef.

A powerful political group based north of the Thames which expanded its influence over other communities in southern Britain before the Roman invasion of AD 43.

A raised route across water or wet ground. Causeways connected Tenochtitlan with the mainland.

Using heat to burn tissue, for example to seal a wound and stop bleeding.

Soldiers who fight on horseback. Norman cavalry included armoured knights equipped with lances and swords.

The Chinese Communist Party, the ruling political party in Mao’s China.

Closed-circuit television: a camera system used to monitor places and record footage that can help deter crime and provide evidence.