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Ciphers - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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Ciphers are methods or systems used to encrypt text, transforming it into a coded format that conceals the original message's meaning. Historically, ciphers have played a crucial role in military communication to protect sensitive information from enemies or rivals. In the context of GCSE History, students may explore famous historical examples such as the Enigma machine used during the Second World War. These ciphers helped shape the outcomes of wars and have impacted the development of modern cryptography, illustrating their significance in both historical and technological contexts.

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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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