History key terms

The depth of a ship below the waterline. A shallow draught allows a ship to travel through relatively shallow water.

A type of heavily armed battleship pioneered by HMS Dreadnought in 1906, combining powerful large-calibre guns with greater speed than older battleships.

Repeated practice of military movements, formations and weapons handling so that soldiers can act together on command.

Repeated practice of set movements and procedures so that soldiers can perform them together reliably.

Methods of cultivating land to conserve scarce moisture and grow crops in areas with little rainfall.

An easing of tensions between rival powers, particularly the USA and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The division of authority in 1917 between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet, also called dual power.

The sharing of authority in 1917 between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet, which commanded considerable support among workers and soldiers.

A territory governed by a duke or duchess. Normandy was a duchy held by the kings of England during Richard I’s reign and the beginning of John’s reign.

Alexander Farnese, Philip II's nephew, who commanded Spain's army in the Netherlands against the Dutch rebels and whose troops were to invade England with the Armada in 1588.

An elected representative assembly established in Russia after the October Manifesto of 1905, whose powers were restricted by the Tsar.

A ceremonial gathering used to display royal authority in India.

The name given to drought-stricken parts of the American Great Plains where exposed topsoil was blown away in severe dust storms during the 1930s.

People from Holland and neighbouring Dutch-speaking areas of the Low Countries; medieval territories did not have the same boundaries as the modern Netherlands.

Two officials appointed to act together. In the trial of Horatius, their task was to judge the charge of treason.

A conflict over which ruling family or claimant should hold the throne.

A marriage intended to strengthen a ruling family’s political position, alliances or claim to power.

A family whose members hold power across successive generations. Henry VIII wanted his children to continue the Tudor dynasty.

A powerful noble who governed a large region called an earldom on behalf of the king.

A territory governed by an earl, a high-ranking noble with administrative and military responsibilities.

The highest-ranking nobles in Anglo-Saxon England, who governed large regions called earldoms.

The period from approximately 1500 to 1750, between the medieval period and the later industrial age.

A symbolic offering made to acknowledge submission to the Persian king.

The major North Vietnamese attack on South Vietnam launched in late March 1972.

A trading organisation founded in 1600 that developed its own armed forces and became a territorial ruler in India.

The Asian trading regions that Europeans hoped to reach for valuable goods; these were Columbus’s intended destination.

The agreement made between Hasdrubal the Fair and Rome in 226 BC that Carthaginian forces would not cross north of the River Ebro under arms.

An agreement made between Rome and Hasdrubal the Fair in 226 BC which limited Carthaginian expansion in relation to the River Ebro.

The Athenian assembly, open to adult male citizens, which debated and voted on proposals and made major political decisions.

Severe damage to an environment, including its vegetation, soil and water systems.