Contact, Commerce, and Colonization (1450-1600) - Chapter 12

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions from the lecture on the period of Contact, Commerce, and Colonization from 1450 to 1600.

What was the Ottoman Empire and what is known as today?

A major rising world power by the mid-15th century, known as Turkey today.

What was the Carrack and Caravel?

Spanish and Portuguese sailing ships.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The exchange of people, plants, and animals between Europe and the Americas.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

An agreement in 1494 that divided the World between Spain and Portuguese.

The Incan Empire was defeated by ———.

Francisco Pizarro

What’s the connection between slaves and sugar?

The Africans provided labor to harvest sugar.

What was the Transatlantic Slave Trade?

The journey across the Atlantic to the Americas for enslaved Africans.

Who was Vasco Da Gama?

The first Portuguese explorer to sail from Europe to India.

What did the compass and the astrolabe do?

It helped determine latitude.

How did the Aztec Empire and Spanish Conquest differ?

The Aztecs didn’t want to kill their enemies.

What was Tenochititan and why is this city important?

It was the capital of the Aztec Empire and was an island in the middle of a lake that was difficult to attack. Today, it’s located in the center of Mexico City.

What was Aztec Society like?

It was based around Tenochititlan in Lake Texcoco. Also, the Aztec Empire spread through conquest and the creation of tributary states that brought wealth and military instability.

What was Hernan Cortez famous for?

He was famous for destroying the Aztec Empire.

Why were the Spanish able to conquer the Aztecs?

The Aztecs weren’t familiar with Spanish technology. Such as gunpowder, war dogs, horse or steel swords.

More reasons why the Aztecs lost to the Spanish

More Aztecs died from disease than fighting. Also, starvation and lack of artillery.

Who’s at the top of the pyramid?

Emperor

Who’s at the bottom of the pyramid?

Slaves

Who’s in the middle of the pyramid?

Merchants, artisans and soldiers.

Who’s the second on the pyramid?

Nobility and priest

Who’s the fourth on the pyramid?

Fishers, farmers, and women

What’s the context of this photo?

Spains forced the Indians to pay tribute. Such as gold, goods, and labor.

Who is Martin Luther?

A German and theologian, who criticized papal authoring and the Catholic Church with his knowledge of the bible.

What was the revival of the Ottoman Caravan trade?

A source of tax revenue for the Ottoman authorities.

What did the Indians think of the Europeans?

The Indians thought the Europeans had bad breath and were repulsed by their hair, beard, bad banners. But, they were impressed by their military’s skills and metal goods.

How did the discovery/encounterment of the Americans happen by accident?

Columbus encountered the Americans by accident because he was looking for Asia.

What the biological consequences of the discovery of the Americas?

Native Americans died due to diseases and were replaced by enslaved Africans for labor.