Unit 4 (1450-1750) Flashcards
Astrolabe
An instrument used by sailors to determine their location by observing the position of the stars and planets
Atlantic Slave Trade
Lasted from 16th century until the 19th century. Trade of African peoples from Western Africa to the Americas. One part of a three-part economical system known as the Middle Passage of the Triangular Trade.
British East India Company
A joint stock company that controlled most of India. Cotton textiles and some spices (pepper) were among products traded.
Caravel
A small, easily steerable ship used by the Portuguese and Spanish in their explorations
Cartaz
A license issued by the Portuguese that permitted non-Portuguese traders to operate in areas of the Indian Ocean controlled by the Portuguese.
Casta System
A system in colonial Spain of determining a person’s social importance according to different racial categories.
Columbian Exchange
The exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Americas and Eurasia following Columbus’s voyages.
Columbus
Italian navigator who discovered the New World in the service of Spain while looking for a route to China - 1492
Compass
navigational instrument for finding directions
corn and potatoes
The two most important food items that were exported from the Americas: resulted in more calories and better nutrition in Europe; helped cause a population increase
Cortez and Pizarro
Age of Discovery. Spanish Conquistadors who conquered the Aztec and Incans
Dutch East India Company
A joint-stock company that controlled the spice trade in the East Indies.
Encomienda and Hacienda Systems
Forced/coerced labor systems where Native Americans worked on plantions or in mines
The Great Dying
the devastation of American Indian populations by diseases brought over from Europe - 50-90% death rate - smallpox…
joint-stock company
a company whose stock is owned jointly by the shareholders.
King Philip’s War (Metacom’s War)
Early, bloody conflict between English colonists and Native Americans
Lateen Sail
Triangular sail that was developed in Indian Ocean trade that allowed a ship to sail against the wind.
Manioc (cassava)
Staple crop spread by the Columbian Exchange. Export from the Americas and the Caribbeans to Eurasia and Africa. Promoted population growth where it was spread.
Maritime Empires
empires based on sea travel - i.e. Spain, Portugal, Netherlands (Dutch), Britain, and France
Maroon Societies
Communities formed by escaped slaves in the Caribbean and Latin America.
mercantilism
An economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and controlling territory (colonies)
Mestizos and Mulattoes
People with mixed races between European and Latin American or African descent
Middle Passage
the sea journey undertaken by slave ships from West Africa to the West Indies.
Mita System
Incan system for payment of taxes with labor - Spanish adopted the system to force workers into the silver mines
Nat Turner’s Rebellion
a slave rebellion led by Nat Turner that took place in Virginia in 1831
Peninsulares v. Creoles
Both of European descent - peninsulares were born in Europe while creoles were born in the Americas
Philippines (Spanish)
Spain’s primary colony in the Pacific Ocean, the capital of Manila was a major hub in the silver trade
Potosi
Mine located in upper Peru (modern Bolivia); largest of New World silver mines
Pueblo Revolt
Native American revolt against the Spanish in late 17th century; expelled the Spanish for over 10 years; Spain began to take an accommodating approach to Natives after the revolt
Silver Trade
The discovery of rich silver deposits in Bolivia and Mexico created new sources of wealth for the Europeans. Spanish America produced 80% of the world’s silver (Japan 20%) and through its trade established the first link between Asia and the Americas. Much silver ended up in China.
Sugar Plantations in the Americas
main crop and development that led to Atlantic Slave Trade
Tokugawa Shogunate
Japanese ruling dynasty that strove to isolate it from foreign influences - expelled Japanese Christians and all Europeans
trading post empire
This is the type of empire established by the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean trading arena.
Vasco de Gama (Portugal)
Discovered a route to India for Portugal - went around south Africa to reach the Indian Ocean
Yasak
forced labor in Russian Siberia where local people had to deliver furs to the Russians as part of the fur trade
