History key terms

A small group of farming households that shared labour and resources, such as tools and animals, while retaining private ownership.

The prospect that a nuclear attack would provoke retaliation capable of devastating both opposing sides.

The situation in which both opponents can inflict devastating nuclear destruction on the other, even after being attacked, making a first strike extremely dangerous.

Acceptance by each side of the other’s status or rights. In 1993, Israel accepted the PLO as the Palestinians’ representative, while the PLO recognised Israel’s right to exist in peace.

The killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers at My Lai on 16 March 1968.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organisation that supported legal challenges to racial discrimination.

A Babylonian historical record written in cuneiform on a clay tablet. It records Astyages’ defeat, his troops’ rebellion and Cyrus’ capture of Ecbatana.

The language spoken by the Mexica, the people at the centre of the Aztec Empire.

A critical term used by people who believe government interferes too much in individuals' choices, often in the name of protecting their health or welfare.

A highly flammable, jelly-like substance used in incendiary bombs, which sticks to surfaces and causes severe burns.

Iraq’s national representative assembly, elected in January 2005 as part of the transition towards elected Iraqi government.

A government’s accumulated borrowing that has not yet been repaid; interest payments add to its costs.

The idea that improving the population’s health and physical fitness would strengthen the country’s military and economic capabilities.

A far-right British political party whose racial nationalism provoked organised opposition during the 1970s.

The authorities governing the country as a whole, including the monarch and Parliament in early modern Britain.

A US state-based military force that can be called upon to deal with emergencies and civil unrest. The Ohio National Guard was deployed at Kent State University in 1970.

The publicly funded healthcare service launched in Britain in 1948, intended to provide care according to medical need rather than ability to pay.

A shared sense of belonging to a nation, expressed through features such as language, symbols, memories and loyalty.

The importance of a place to events, institutions or developments affecting the country.

A contributory scheme in which payments by workers, employers and government supported benefits such as sickness payments and medical care.

The transfer of a business or industry into government ownership and control.

The belief that a people should govern themselves as an independent nation. Korean nationalists sought freedom from foreign rule and a united Korea.

The legal status connecting a person to a state. Nationality does not necessarily give an unrestricted right to enter or settle in that state.

A movement bringing together opponents of South Vietnam’s government, which became dominated by communists. Its armed fighters were known as the Vietcong.

A national, cultural or linguistic group that forms a smaller part of a country’s population than the dominant group.

An organisation founded in the USA in 1966 to campaign for women's equality through lobbying, legal challenges and pressure for enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.

The principle that national groups should be able to determine their own government rather than be ruled by another nationality.

Britain’s post-war system of compulsory military training and service for young men, followed by service in the reserves.

Historical evidence produced for a country-wide audience or by an organisation working at national level, such as central government records or a national newspaper.

A government body established by Roosevelt in January 1942 to settle labour disputes affecting war production; its authority later expanded to controlling most wage increases.