Early Modern Key Terms 1-25

Question 1

Imperialism

Answer 1

One nation or empire that rules over foreign countries or acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies

Question 2

Nation-State

Answer 2

A state inhabited by a relatively homogenous group of people who share a common feeling of nationality.

Question 3

Joint Stock Companies

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Mulattoes

Answer 4

A person of mixed African and European descent.

Question 5

Mercantilism

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Sikhism

Answer 6

Syncretic religion founded by Nanak that blended Islamic and Jewish beliefs.

Question 7

Mughal

Answer 7

Muslim state (1526-1857) exercising control over most of India in the 16th and 17th centuries

Question 8

Columbian Exchange

Answer 8

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technology between the Americas and rest of the world following Columbus’s voyages.

Question 9

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Zheng He

Answer 10

Chinese admiral who led several overseas expeditions under Ming emperor Yongle between 1405 and 1423, demonstrated that the Chinese could make major overseas explorations.

Question 11

Encomienda System

Answer 11

A grant of land made by Spain to settlers in America, including the right to use Native Americans as laborers.

Question 12

Laissez Faire Capitalism

Answer 12

The idea that economy could run itself without influence, regulation, or restriction from government.

Question 13

Adam Smith

Answer 13

Scottish Economist who advocated Laissez Faire economics, private enterprise and free trade (1723-1790). He wrote “Wealth of Nations”

Question 14

Safavid

Answer 14

The Shi’a Islamic dynasty that ruled in Persia between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Question 15

Creoles

Answer 15

Descendants of Spanish-born BUT born in Latin America, resented inferior social, political, and economic status

Question 16

Ming

Answer 16

• 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.

Question 17

Shogun

Answer 17

Powerful military lord in feudal Japan

Question 18

Dutch United East India Company

Answer 18

• 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.

Question 19

Siberia

Answer 19

A vast Asian region of Russia. Possess significant amount of natural resources like trees, oil, and minerals

Question 20

95 Theses

Answer 20

Written by Martin Luther. Primary catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Used to display Luther’s displeasure of the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences.

Question 21

Cortes

Answer 21

Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico (1485-1547)

Question 22

Akbar

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

John Locke

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

Potosi

Answer 24

Mine located in upper Peru- largest of the new world silver mines. Produced 80% of all Peruvian silver

Question 25

Middle Passage

Answer 25

Trade route in between the western ports of Africa to the Caribbean and southern US that carried the slave trade.