Key Explorers and Events in Early Modern European Expansion

These flashcards cover key figures, treaties, and events related to early modern European exploration, colonization, and political developments, facilitating study and review.

Vasco Da Gama

Portuguese navigator who discovered a route to India by going around Africa.

St. Francis Xavier

A Jesuit missionary known for spreading Catholic doctrine in Asia by the 1550s.

Magellan

His expedition was the first to circumnavigate the world, finding a route to the Philippines.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Agreement in 1494 dividing the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

Conquistadors

Spanish conquerors in the New World who used violent military methods.

Economienda

System that allowed Spanish colonists to exploit Indian labor while ensuring some land for their own use.

Postosí Mines

Rich silver deposits in modern-day Bolivia, greatly increasing precious metals production.

Mestizos

Individuals of mixed European and indigenous descent.

Hernando Cortez

Conqueror of the Aztec Empire in Mexico in 1519.

Francesco Pizarro

Conqueror of the Inca Empire in Peru in 1528.

Bartolomé de las Casas

Advocated for the better treatment of Indians; helped establish the Economienda system.

Mercantilism

Economic policy that emphasizes the accumulation of wealth through trade.

Price Revolution

A period in the 1500s marked by significant inflation and increased demand for goods.

Bourgeois

Middle-class members including landowners and merchants.

Capital

The owned materials necessary for running a business.

Entrepreneur

A person who organizes and manages a business, taking on its risks.

Fugger

A prominent banking family involved in trade and mining during this period.

Usury

The practice of charging interest on loans, considered immoral by many Christians.

Commercial capitalism

Economic system focused on investments in trade to generate profits.

Statute of Artificers of 1563

Regulated apprenticeships and wage levels for various trades in England.

Internal Tariffs

Tariffs applied within a state, relating to regional trade and economics.

Chartered trading companies

Official companies established for overseas trade ventures.

English Poor Law of 1601

Legislation aimed at ensuring able-bodied poor could work while providing charity.

Aristocracy

A government form where power resides with noble families.

Robot

A term for peasants obligated to work several days for their lords in Bohemia.

Hidalgo

Lowered nobility in Spain, paralleling the middle class in other nations.

Collège

Educational institution in France combining grammar school and university studies.

Ursuline Sisters

Catholic nuns' order focused on the education of young women.

Junkers

Members of the landed aristocracy involved in political reaction.

Hereditary Subjection

A term that refers to serfdom in Germany.

Corveé

A system of labor where peasants owed free work to their lords for a set number of days.

Austrian and Spanish Hapsburgs

Powerful political dynasty, Charles V abdicated the throne in 1556.

Siglo de oro

The Golden Age of Spain, known for flourishing arts and literature.

Escorial

Royal residence and monastery built by Philip II of Spain.

Duke of Alva

Spanish governor sent to the Netherlands to enforce Catholic rule.

Council of Troubles

A tribunal established to combat Protestantism in the Netherlands.

Joyeuse Entrée

An unwritten constitution that governed the Low Countries.

William of Orange

Leader of the revolt against Spanish rule in the Netherlands.

Elizabeth I

Queen of England known for her successful reign from 1558 to 1603.

Duke of Norfolk

Led an unsuccessful Catholic rebellion against Queen Elizabeth in 1569.

Lepanto

Naval battle where Spain defeated the Turks, significant in the context of European power.

Mary Queen of Scots

Claimed by Catholics as rightful queen, ultimately executed by Elizabeth I.

Don Juan

Spanish governor general who attempted to control the Netherlands.

Union of Utrecht

Formation of the independent northern provinces of the Netherlands.

United Provinces of the Netherlands

The northern provinces that declared independence, leading to the Dutch Republic.

Armada Católica

Spanish fleet defeated in an attempt to invade England, marking Spain's decline.

1609 Twelve Years' Truce

Ceasefire dividing the Netherlands into Dutch and Spanish territories.

Feudal (post medieval sense)

Social hierarchy encompassing various groups with rights within the state.

Boy Kings

Young monarchs who lacked control, leading to political instability in France.

Huguenots

French Calvinists who faced persecution during the Wars of Religion.

Catherine de Medici

Queen who served as regent for her sons, trying to maintain power amidst tumult.

Henry of Bourbon/Navarre

Huguenot leader who became King Henry IV of France after converting to Catholicism.

Guise Family

Catholic family seeking to eliminate Protestantism and gain power.

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Mass killing of Huguenots by Catholics during a wedding celebration.

Rouen and La Rochelle

Protestant towns requesting aid from England during their struggles.

Politiques

Moderate individuals who sought to prioritize state stability over religious conflict.

1598 Edict of Nantes

Granted religious freedom to Protestants and recognition of their rights in France.

Parlement

Noble-staffed law court that could approve or reject royal decrees.

Estates General

Representative assembly in France that advised the king on decisions.

Marie de Medici

Mother of Louis XIII and regent of France until he could rule himself.

Louis XIII

Son of Henry IV; relied greatly on Cardinal Richelieu for governance.

Cardinal Richelieu

Minister to Louis XIII known for diminishing noble power.

1629 Peace of Alais

Revoked some rights of Protestants established under the Edict of Nantes.

Bohemian (1618-1625)

Conflict started by the Defenestration of Prague and the fall of Bohemia.

Danish (1625-1629)

War led by Denmark against Catholic forces during the Thirty Years' War.

Swedish (1630-1635)

Sweden took up Protestant leadership, aided by France against Catholic forces.

Swedish-French (1635-1648)

Period marked by French support for Swedish forces against the HRE.

Czechs

Inhabitants of Bohemia, often denoting as Bohemians during conflicts.

Franche Comte

Territory used as a French base against Spanish incursions.

Matthias

Holy Roman Emperor whose rule was challenged during the Thirty Years' War.

Defenestration of Prague

Event triggering the Thirty Years' War; Protestant nobles threw officials from a window.

Protestant Union (1608)

Alliance of German Lutherans concerned about the spread of Catholicism.

Frederick V

Elected King of Bohemia, opposed the HRE during the Thirty Years' War.

Emperor Ferdinand

HRE Emperor who sought to restore Catholic dominance in his territories.

Albert of Wallenstein

Military leader commissioned by Ferdinand to defeat Protestant forces.

Battle of White Mountain

A decisive battle where Ferdinand's forces defeated Frederick V.

Edict of Restitution 1629

A decree to restore Catholic states lost to Protestantism by the RCC.

Gustavus Adolphus

Swedish king who advanced the Swedish Empire and improved military tactics.

Peace of Prague 1635

Revoked Edict of Restitution and helped stabilize relations between states.

Peace of Westphalia 1648

Concluded the Thirty Years' War, allowing various Christian denominations.

Staatensystem

Modern system of independent states without medieval feudal ties.