History key terms

A geographical voting district whose electors choose their parliamentary representatives.

An elected assembly intended to decide Russia's future constitution and system of government.

A set of fundamental rules defining how a country is governed and how political power is organised.

A formal change to the United States Constitution, the country's fundamental framework of government and law.

A monarchy in which the ruler’s powers are limited by constitutional rules and representative institutions.

One of Rome’s two annually elected senior magistrates, who could command armies.

A military tribune exercising consular authority, an office created as a compromise that allowed either patricians or plebeians to be elected without opening the consulship itself to plebeians.

Products intended for everyday personal use, such as clothes, shoes and household items.

A culture in which buying goods and services is encouraged and possessions are associated with happiness, status and success.

A society in which buying goods plays an important part in daily life, lifestyles and aspirations.

The US policy of preventing communism from spreading to additional countries.

An image made during the period being studied, although its accuracy still depends on the artist’s knowledge, purpose and choices.

A source produced during the period or events being investigated.

The information a source contains, including its words and visible details.

The army formed by the Second Continental Congress to coordinate the colonies' armed resistance to Britain.

An assembly of colonial delegates that coordinated resistance to Britain and increasingly acted as a central government.

Something that remains broadly similar over time, despite other changes.

A wartime classification used by Union authorities for people escaping slavery, treating them as property taken from the enemy that would not be returned. The initial federal policy applied where their labour had supported the Confederacy.

An international agreement through which participating governments accept obligations concerning a particular issue.

The Parliament which assembled on 25 April 1660 and arranged the initial Restoration settlement. It was not summoned by a reigning monarch.

Adopting a different religion; Spanish rulers and missionaries sought to convert Indigenous peoples to Catholic Christianity.

A group of merchant ships travelling together under the protection of warships.

A York street whose name means ‘cup-makers’ street’; excavations there provide important evidence of Viking homes, crafts and trade.

The Congress of Racial Equality, a civil rights organisation that supported non-violent direct action and organised the first Freedom Ride in 1961.

Legislation restricting imported grain to protect domestic producers; the Corn Law of 1815 limited imports until British grain prices reached a specified level.

British laws restricting imports of grain to protect domestic producers and maintain grain prices. ‘Corn’ meant grain, including wheat.

A horn of plenty: a symbol associated with abundance and prosperity.

A ceremony in which a monarch is crowned and formally recognised as ruler.

An official who investigates the cause and circumstances of certain deaths, including suspicious or violent deaths.

A punishment that deliberately inflicts physical pain or injury, such as whipping or mutilation.