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Vigilante - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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A vigilante is a person who takes the law into their own hands, acting without any legal authority or official permission. Vigilantes often believe they are protecting their community or seeking justice, especially when they feel that the law is not working properly or is too slow. Historically, vigilante actions have happened during times of social unrest or when people lose trust in the official legal system. However, vigilante actions can lead to chaos and can be dangerous, as they bypass the legal process and often result in unfair treatment and violence.

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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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