History key terms

Mao Zedong’s version of communism, which emphasised peasant revolution, mass participation, class struggle and Communist Party leadership.

The communist ideas associated with Mao Zedong, promoted as the guiding principles for politics and everyday life in China.

A people and political power based in western India whose kingdom developed under Shivaji and resisted Mughal expansion.

An administrative district along the English–Scottish border. Each kingdom had an East, Middle and West March, supervised by wardens.

An earldom on the English border with Wales whose ruler had extensive powers to defend and control the borderlands.

The Anglo-Norman lords who controlled territories along the Welsh border and within Wales, owing allegiance to the English Crown but exercising extensive powers in their own lordships.

A medieval unit used to express sums of money. Richard I’s total ransom was set at 150,000 marks of silver.

The influence of buying, selling, prices and profit on decisions about what to produce and how to produce it.

Decorative work made by fitting pieces of different woods or other materials into a surface to create a pattern or picture.

A Chinese law introduced in 1950 that established freedom of choice in marriage, equality between spouses and rights to divorce, while prohibiting compulsory marriage, concubinage and the buying and selling of brides.

An American programme of economic assistance to European countries after the Second World War, intended to support recovery and reduce the appeal of communism.

Shia communities living in the marshlands of southern Iraq, whose settlements and livelihoods were attacked by Saddam’s regime.

Military control of an area in place of ordinary civilian government, often restricting civilian rights.

A person whose death for their beliefs is regarded by supporters as a sacrifice worthy of honour.

The central Catholic service in which a priest consecrates bread and wine, believed to become Christ’s body and blood.

A people whom Cyrus attempted to conquer on his final campaign, ruled by Queen Tomyris in Herodotus’ account.

Entertainment reaching very large audiences, for example through films and radio broadcasts.

Mao’s principle that the Communist Party should learn from ordinary people’s experiences and ideas, then develop policies and mobilise people to carry them out under Party leadership.

The movement of large numbers of people from one country or region to another to settle.

Organising large numbers of people to work towards a shared political or economic goal.

A political campaign that mobilises large numbers of ordinary people to take part in activities such as meetings, accusations and investigations.

A project that collected evidence about everyday life, thoughts and feelings in Britain, including wartime diaries, responses to questions and observational reports.

Producing large quantities of standardised goods using machinery and repeated manufacturing processes.

An organised programme offering vaccination to large numbers of people to protect individuals and reduce the spread of disease.

The Roman officer who served as a dictator’s deputy.

The Roman dictator’s subordinate deputy, who could take command in the dictator’s absence.

A skilled weaver who controlled production and employed other workers; successful master weavers could afford substantial houses and workshops.

The people who controlled silk production and employed or organised other weavers.

A firearm mechanism that uses a burning cord to ignite the gunpowder needed to fire the weapon.

A large, imposing building containing a tomb, often built to commemorate an important person.