History key terms

The US federal agency established to investigate employment discrimination complaints and enforce equal employment protections.

The principle that people should have equal status, rights or opportunities; campaigns may differ over who should be included.

A US federal law passed in 1963 requiring equal pay for men and women performing the same jobs under equal conditions.

The provision of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution requiring states to give people equal protection of the laws. It provides a basis for challenging arbitrary legal discrimination.

A proposed constitutional amendment, introduced in 1923 with the backing of the National Woman’s Party, intended to establish equal legal rights for women and men. It did not become law in the 1920s.

A proposed change to the US Constitution prohibiting denial of equal rights on account of sex. Congress approved it in 1972, but approval by the required number of states was also necessary.

Campaigns seeking the same legal protection and opportunities for people regardless of their background.

The Equal Rights Amendment: a proposed change to the US Constitution prohibiting the denial of equal rights on grounds of sex.

A German term meaning substitute; used for replacement products such as synthetic rubber.

An increase in the scale or intensity of a conflict, such as committing more troops or expanding bombing.

Entertainment that allows people temporarily to forget difficulties in their everyday lives.

Secretly gathering information about another country, especially its military capabilities or government activities.

The organisation of a household's property, supplies and labour so that its resources are used and preserved effectively.

A shared cultural background or identity, which may involve ancestry, language and traditions; it is not the same as birthplace or nationality.

A group with a shared cultural, linguistic or ancestral identity that differs from the majority population.

Writing that describes the customs, origins and characteristics of peoples.

The European Union: a grouping of European countries cooperating economically and politically, developed from earlier organisations including the EEC.

The ability of citizens of European Union countries to move between member countries to live and work, subject to the applicable rules.

The idea that a population could be ‘improved’ by controlling who reproduced. Nazi eugenics used false claims about heredity to justify coercion and persecution.

The examination of an Athenian official’s conduct at the end of a term of office, alongside financial accounting.

The organised movement of people away from places threatened by danger. During the Second World War, many British children were moved from cities to safer areas.

The regular activities and living conditions of people in the past, including work, food, accommodation, worship and leisure.

A royal administrative organisation established around 1194 to manage financial dealings involving Jews and many disputes between Jews and Christians.

Taxes charged on particular goods, such as salt and beer during the Civil Wars.

Proposed legislation first introduced in 1679 to prevent James, Duke of York, from inheriting the throne because he was Catholic.

The political struggle of 1679–1681 over attempts to exclude James, Duke of York, from the succession.

Exclusion from the Church and its sacraments, a serious religious punishment that could also undermine a ruler’s authority.

A presidential directive governing the work of the federal government, issued using the President's legal authority.

Roosevelt’s 1941 presidential order banning racial discrimination in defence employment.

The authority to carry out laws and direct the day-to-day work of government.