History key terms

A supporter of democratic government and socialist reforms; Germany’s main social democratic party was the SPD.

The ranking of people in society according to their status, power and wealth.

An effect on people’s relationships, living conditions or position within society.

A political ideology seeking greater social and economic equality and collective control of economic resources rather than their control solely by private owners.

Stalin’s policy of building socialism within the USSR without making its survival dependent on successful revolutions abroad.

Alexander Dubček’s aim of keeping socialism while allowing greater freedom of expression and improving people’s quality of life.

A campaign in early-1960s China intended to restore communist ideological commitment in the Communist Party, government and society.

An official Soviet artistic approach that presented an idealised view of socialism, glorifying workers, achievements and political leaders.

Movement upwards or downwards between social ranks.

Measures intended to improve people’s living conditions, welfare or treatment within society.

The organisation of people into groups with different levels of wealth, power, status and freedom.

Beliefs and expectations held by people or groups, which can encourage acceptance of change or resistance to it.

Rome’s Italian allies, which supplied soldiers and other support to Rome.

Blocks of earth held together by grass and its roots, used by some Plains settlers as a building material.

A strong plough capable of cutting through the dense grass roots of the Plains so that crops could be planted.

A house built from blocks of grass-covered earth, used where timber was scarce.

The removal and transport of soil by water or wind.

An independent Polish trade union led by Lech Wałęsa that used strikes and organised opposition to challenge communist rule.

Colonial protest groups that opposed British policies and helped organise resistance, including calls for boycotts.

A person who entered land before the authorised starting time of an Oklahoma land run to gain an unfair advantage in claiming it.

A professional teacher in ancient Greece, often associated with teaching argument and persuasive speaking.

Professional teachers in fifth-century BC Greece who charged fees for education, often including persuasive speaking and argument.

A sudden attack made by defenders who leave a besieged place to strike the surrounding enemy.

A state’s authority to govern itself without control by another state.

A council of workers' and soldiers' representatives. In 1917, soviets exercised political influence and challenged the authority of the Provisional Government.

An order issued by the Petrograd Soviet to the Petrograd garrison in March 1917. It required obedience to orders from the Duma’s Military Commission only when they did not contradict Soviet orders and placed weapons under soldiers’ committee control.

Councils of workers, soldiers or peasants. The Kronstadt rebels wanted freely elected soviets rather than councils dominated by the Bolsheviks.

A farm owned and run directly by the state.

Competition between the USA and USSR to achieve major advances in space exploration and demonstrate technological and ideological strength.

The Spanish invasion fleet sent by Philip II against England in 1588.