Skip to content
    History A-Level

    Legitimacy and authority

    What Legitimacy and authority means in History A-Level, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.

    Definitions of Legitimacy and authority

    Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.

    Check what you remember

    Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Legitimacy and authority in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.

    Reference: Pearson Edexcel

    Failure of republican rule stemmed from a lack of legitimacy, alongside financial weakness, religious radicalism and the army's political role.
    Pearson Edexcel · The quest for political stability, 1625–88 (study guide)
    The government lacked elected legitimacy and its authority was limited, controlling ministries but not the army rank and file or factories.
    Pearson Edexcel · The Provisional government and its opponents, February– October 1917 (study guide)

    Topics that use Legitimacy and authority

    Related terms

    Using Legitimacy and authority in the exam

    Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.

    Practise History questions

    Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.

    Start free

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    All History A-Level terms