History key terms

Respect and obedience towards parents and ancestors, an important principle in traditional Confucian teaching.

A tactic used in the US Senate to delay or prevent a vote on legislation through prolonged debate.

The Nazi term for the systematic murder of Europe’s Jews.

A rapid rise in asset prices driven by expectations of further price increases, followed by a collapse when confidence fails.

The major changes in late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century methods of raising and managing money, especially government borrowing and investment through joint-stock companies.

A punishment requiring an offender to pay money.

A gap cleared of buildings or other combustible material to prevent a fire spreading.

A ship set alight and sent towards an enemy fleet to cause damage or force ships to move from their positions.

China’s programme of centrally planned economic development for 1953–57, which prioritised heavy industry using the Soviet model.

Church payments redirected to the Crown: first fruits were the first year’s income from a newly held church position, while tenths were an annual payment of one-tenth of its income.

Roosevelt’s initial programme, beginning in 1933, of federal action to provide emergency help, revive the economy and change how it was regulated.

The war fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 to 241 BC, mainly in and around Sicily, which ended in Roman victory.

The conflict in which Scots resisted English domination, including the campaigns of William Wallace and Robert Bruce. It remained unresolved when Edward I died in 1307.

A programme setting state-directed economic production targets for a five-year period.

A long, narrow inlet of the sea bordered by steep land, characteristic of Norway's coastline.

People who whipped themselves as an act of religious repentance, hoping to gain God's forgiveness and end the plague.

A priest responsible for the rites of a particular deity. Numa appointed flamens for Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus.

The side of an army or military formation; an attack on a flank can threaten troops whose main attention is directed forwards.

An attack against the side of an enemy force rather than directly against its front.

The sides of an army or battlefield position; an attack on a flank threatens troops from the side rather than the front.

A young woman associated with the 1920s who challenged traditional expectations through her appearance and behaviour, including short hair, shorter skirts, smoking and public dancing.

Young women associated with the 1920s who challenged traditional expectations through their clothing, appearance and social behaviour.

Excessive praise intended to please someone or gain their favour; at Alexander’s court, this could involve exaggerating his achievements and belittling others.

The Roman imperial dynasty established by Vespasian in AD 69, followed by his sons Titus and Domitian.

Migrants from Flanders in the Low Countries, many of whom brought weaving skills to sixteenth-century England.

The departure of leading Gaelic Irish chiefs and their followers from Ireland in 1607, after which the Crown confiscated extensive lands in Ulster.

A firearm mechanism that uses flint striking steel to produce sparks and ignite the gunpowder needed to fire the weapon.

A battle arranged between opposing states, particularly to capture warriors for religious sacrifice rather than necessarily to conquer territory.

Battles fought to capture warriors for human sacrifice, including conflicts between the Mexica and Tlaxcalans.

An organised conflict fought to obtain prisoners for religious sacrifice rather than simply to conquer territory.