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Martyr - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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A martyr is a person who is killed or suffers greatly because of their beliefs or principles, especially in a religious or political context. In history, martyrs are often remembered as brave individuals who stood up for what they believed was right, even when it was dangerous or when others disagreed. For example, early Christians who were persecuted for their faith, or people who fought for civil rights, are often seen as martyrs. Understanding martyrs helps students learn about the impact of faith, ideas, and values on history and how they can inspire change, even at great personal cost.

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Zoe Wade

Reviewer: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History Content Creator

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

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