APUSH Review Cards

Beringia Theory

The theory that suggests that the first humans migrated to the Americas by crossing a land bridge called Beringia, which connected Asia and North America during the last Ice Age.

Matrilineal

A social system in which descent and inheritance are traced through the female line.

“Slash and Burn”

A method of clearing land for agriculture by cutting down and burning trees and vegetation.

“Longhouse”

A type of dwelling used by Eastern Woodlands Natives, characterized by its long and narrow shape and communal living arrangement.

Shamanism

A religious practice in which individuals, known as shamans, communicate with the spirit world to heal, guide, and protect their communities.

“Counting Coup”

A Plains Native tradition of touching an enemy in battle without causing harm, considered a brave and honorable act.

Maize

A type of corn that was a staple crop for many Native American civilizations, including those in the Southwest.

Kiva

An underground chamber used for religious ceremonies and gatherings by the Native American tribes of the Southwest.

Incas

A powerful civilization in Central and South America known for their advanced agricultural techniques, road systems, and centralized government.

Aztecs

A Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in Central Mexico, known for their complex social structure, advanced agriculture, and human sacrifice rituals.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco and known for its impressive architecture and engineering.

“Floating City”

A nickname for Tenochtitlan due to its location on an island in Lake Texcoco.

Chinampas

Floating gardens used by the Aztecs for agriculture, created by constructing small, rectangular plots of land on the lake's surface.

“God, Glory, Gold”

The three main motivations for European exploration and colonization during the Age of Discovery.

Hernan Cortes

A Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Conquistadors

Spanish conquerors who sought to expand Spanish territory and spread Christianity in the Americas.

Francisco Pizzaro

A Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire.

Mission

A religious settlement established by the Spanish in the Americas, aimed at converting Native Americans to Christianity.

Presidio

A Spanish military fort or garrison established to protect missions and settlements.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and ideas between the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the New World (the Americas) following Christopher Columbus's voyages.

New France

The French colonies in North America, primarily focused on fur trade and exploration.

Fur trade

The trading of animal furs, particularly beaver pelts, which was a major economic activity in New France.

Coureurs de Bois

French fur traders and adventurers who lived among and traded with Native American tribes.

New Netherlands

A Dutch colony in North America, known for its diverse population and focus on trade.

Patroons

Wealthy Dutch landowners who were granted large estates in New Netherlands in exchange for bringing settlers to the colony.

New Amsterdam

The capital city of New Netherlands, later renamed New York City after the English took control of the colony.

New Sweden

A Swedish colony in North America, focused on fur trade and tobacco cultivation.

Furs and tobacco

The main economic activities in New Sweden, with fur trade being the primary source of wealth and tobacco being an important cash crop.

Fort Christina

The first Swedish settlement in North America, located in present-day Wilmington, Delaware.

Impetus for English Colonization

The main motivations for English colonization in North America, including religious, economic, and political factors.

“Cash crop”

A crop grown primarily for profit rather than for subsistence, such as tobacco or cotton.

“Headright”

A system used in colonial Virginia to encourage the settlement of new colonists by granting them land.

Indentured servant

An individual who agreed to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to the New World or other benefits.

House of Burgesses

The first elected legislative assembly in colonial America, established in Virginia in 1619.

Maryland

A colony founded as a haven for Catholics and known for its policy of religious toleration.

Religious Toleration Act of 1649

A law passed in Maryland that granted religious freedom to all Christians.

Plymouth

A colony founded by the Pilgrims, a group of English Separatists seeking religious freedom.

“Pilgrims”

A group of English Separatists who