History key terms

A political situation in which opposing groups prevent decisions from being agreed or carried out.

A killing centre established specifically for mass murder. Death camps differed from concentration camps, although Auschwitz combined both functions.

An official document authorising a person’s execution.

The surgical removal of dead, damaged or contaminated tissue from a wound to help prevent infection.

A sum of money owed to another person or organisation.

The plateau region of southern India, where Mughal rulers sought to extend their authority over states including Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golconda.

An official belonging to a board of ten men. The Roman decemvirs were appointed to produce written laws and exercised consular powers.

A board of ten officials; in this context, the officials appointed to draw up Rome’s written laws and exercise governmental authority.

Giving more decision-making power to smaller or local organisations rather than concentrating it at the centre.

A 10% income tax imposed on Royalists to fund the regional cavalry militias used by the Major-Generals.

Charles II’s statement of 1660 offering reconciliation, including a pardon with exceptions, consideration of disputed property and toleration for moderate non-Anglican Protestants.

Charles II’s declaration of March 1672 suspending religious penal laws and allowing licensed Protestant Nonconformist worship. It also extended toleration to Catholics and was withdrawn in 1673 following parliamentary opposition.

The process through which territories under colonial rule become independent.

An order issued by a government that has the force of law.

Changing the law so that an activity is no longer a criminal offence, sometimes only under specified conditions.

An object offered to a deity, often to honour the deity or commemorate an achievement.

The abandonment of one side in a conflict to join its opponent.

A chemical used to remove leaves from plants and trees, reducing the cover provided by vegetation.

The presentation or treatment of a person as a god.

The decline of manufacturing industry, involving factory closures and the loss of industrial jobs.

The belief that God created the world but does not continually intervene in its events.

Racial separation imposed by law, rather than only by people's practices or economic circumstances.

Entrusting tasks to another person while retaining overall responsibility and authority.

A state governed by a sultan from Delhi. Babur defeated its last ruler, Ibrahim Lodi, in 1526.

An alliance of Greek states led by Athens that continued the war against Persia after Xerxes’ invasion, seeking to free Greek cities and prevent renewed Persian attacks.

A local community in Attica which served as a unit of Athenian civic organisation and registration.

Land kept by a lord for their own use, rather than granted to tenants.

The dismantling of a country’s armed forces and military institutions, and the removal or control of its capacity to wage war.

Kept free of military forces and fortifications.

A place from which military forces and installations have been removed.