Early Modern Key Terms 1-25 Flashcards
Imperialism
One nation or empire that rules over foreign countries or acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies
Nation-State
A state inhabited by a relatively homogenous group of people who share a common feeling of nationality.
Joint Stock Companies
An association of individuals who pool resources, which provide them with stock like a corporation. The share their risks, losses, and profits. Commonly used in trade/exploration ventures.
Mulattoes
A person of mixed African and European descent.
Mercantilism
A 17th and 18th century economic theory that says that the prosperity of a nation is dependent upon its supply of capital, and that the government should promote policies that strengthen the economic power of state.
Sikhism
Syncretic religion founded by Nanak that blended Islamic and Jewish beliefs.
Mughal
Muslim state (1526-1857) exercising control over most of India in the 16th and 17th centuries
Columbian Exchange
The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technology between the Americas and rest of the world following Columbus’s voyages.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Believed all people were equal and that civilization was the cause of the end of the state of nature that all people were free and equal.
Zheng He
Chinese admiral who led several overseas expeditions under Ming emperor Yongle between 1405 and 1423, demonstrated that the Chinese could make major overseas explorations.
Encomienda System
A grant of land made by Spain to settlers in America, including the right to use Native Americans as laborers.
Laissez Faire Capitalism
The idea that economy could run itself without influence, regulation, or restriction from government.
Adam Smith
Scottish Economist who advocated Laissez Faire economics, private enterprise and free trade (1723-1790). He wrote “Wealth of Nations”
Safavid
The Shi’a Islamic dynasty that ruled in Persia between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Creoles
Descendants of Spanish-born BUT born in Latin America, resented inferior social, political, and economic status
Ming
- Dynasty that ruled China from the mid 14th to mid 17th century
- Focused on bringing back Chinese culture after years of Mongol rule.
- Immense ocean trade voyages headed by Zheng He were launched and later abandoned under its rule.
Shogun
Powerful military lord in feudal Japan
Dutch United East India Company
- Established in 1602
- Private merchants advanced funds to launch the company, to send ships and crews, and provide them with materials and money to trade.
Siberia
A vast Asian region of Russia. Possess significant amount of natural resources like trees, oil, and minerals
95 Theses
Written by Martin Luther. Primary catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Used to display Luther’s displeasure of the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences.
Cortes
Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico (1485-1547)
Akbar
The most famous Muslim ruler of India during the period of Mughal rule. Famous for his religious tolerance, his investment in rich cultural feats, and the creation of a centralized government administration.
John Locke
- Enlightenment thinker.
- All people are born with right to life, liberty, and property.
- Government is for protecting the people’s rights, if it doesn’t people can overthrow
Potosi
Mine located in upper Peru- largest of the new world silver mines. Produced 80% of all Peruvian silver
Middle Passage
Trade route in between the western ports of Africa to the Caribbean and southern US that carried the slave trade.
