History key terms

Action that directly challenges injustice without using physical violence, such as boycotts and peaceful demonstrations.

Opposition to government or colonial rule through peaceful action rather than armed attacks.

The reversal of the Prague Spring reforms and restoration of strict communist control in Czechoslovakia after the 1968 invasion.

The military takeover of England by William, Duke of Normandy, in 1066, which established a new ruling elite and encouraged settlement from France.

The variety of French spoken by the Norman ruling class after the conquest of England.

The replacement of English leaders and practices with Norman or other continental leaders and practices after the Norman Conquest.

The people of Normandy, whose culture developed from Scandinavian settlers mixing with the local population and adopting Christianity and a form of French.

An interpretation of the Norman Conquest as the imposition of oppressive foreign rule on the English population.

People from Scandinavia and their overseas communities who shared related languages and cultural traditions during the Viking Age.

The pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices of the Vikings, including worship of gods such as Odin and Thor.

An alliance of Afghan groups opposed to the Taliban which provided ground forces during the 2001 campaign.

The kingdoms of England, Denmark and Norway brought under Cnut’s rule in the early eleventh century.

An alliance of Indigenous nations formed to resist American expansion into their lands in the region north of the Ohio River.

A sea route sought around the north of North America to reach Asian markets.

The argument that a government should not impose taxes on people who have no elected representatives in the body making those decisions.

A hostile label used for German politicians associated with accepting the November 1918 armistice and the subsequent peace settlement.

Latin for ‘final words’; in this succession dispute, a king’s deathbed declaration naming his successor.

The National Organisation for Women, founded in 1966 to campaign for women's equality through changes in laws and institutions.

The National Socialist German Workers’ Party, usually called the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler.

Broadly comparable nuclear strength between rival powers; it does not require identical numbers of weapons.

The spread of nuclear weapons to additional countries.

A North African region west of Carthage, whose rival kingdoms supplied important cavalry forces during the Second Punic War.

The 1935 laws that deprived Jews of citizenship rights and prohibited marriage or sexual relations between Jews and people classified as German or related blood.

Trials held before the International Military Tribunal in 1945–1946 to prosecute leading figures in the Nazi regime for crimes including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Jahangir’s wife, originally named Mehr-un-Nisa, who married him in 1611 and exercised considerable political authority. Her title means ‘Light of the World’.

The group of powerful allies around Nur Jahan, initially including her father, her brother Asaf Khan and Prince Khurram.

The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, led by Millicent Fawcett, which pursued votes for women through constitutional methods such as petitions, demonstrations and parliamentary pressure.

A solemn promise made before God. Under Henry VIII, oaths were used to require acceptance of changes to the succession and royal authority.

A sworn promise of loyalty to a ruler or lord.

A formal promise to remain faithful to a ruler.