Unit 4 flashcards

Maritime technologies

Innovations in navigation and shipbuilding that facilitated European expansion.

Magnetic compass

A navigational instrument developed in China that indicates direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles.

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used to make astronomical measurements, developed by the Greeks.

Lateen sail

A triangular sail developed by Arabs that allowed for improved navigation.

Caravel

A lightweight sailing ship that was easier to maneuver and faster than larger merchant ships.

Mercantilism

An economic policy that emphasizes state control over trade and the accumulation of wealth through a favorable balance of trade.

Joint-stock company

A business structure in which investors pool resources to fund expeditions or trade companies while limiting individual risk.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of goods, diseases, and cultures between the Old World and the New World following Columbus's voyages.

Tokugawa Japan

A period of Japanese history characterized by isolationist policies and resistance to Western imperialism.

Chattel slavery

A form of slavery where the enslaved individuals are considered property with no rights.

Encomienda

A labor system where Spanish settlers were granted the right to extract labor from indigenous people.

Indentured servitude

A labor system in which individuals sign contracts to work for a certain period in exchange for passage or protection.

Cultural synthesis

The blending of different cultural practices and beliefs, often seen in the interactions between enslaved people and colonizers.

Religious syncretism

The merging of different religious beliefs and practices, often between indigenous and colonial religions.

Favorable balance of trade

An economic condition where a country exports more than it imports.

Spanish colonization

The establishment of the Spanish Empire in the Americas, initiated by Columbus's expeditions.

Dutch East India Company

A powerful trading company that dominated commerce in the Indian Ocean, surpassing the Portuguese.

Asante Empire

An African kingdom engaged in trade, supplying gold, ivory, and enslaved people.

Sugar plantations

Large agricultural operations in the Americas focused on the cultivation of sugar, reliant on enslaved labor.

Ethnic and religious diversity

The variety of different ethnic groups and religious beliefs present in a society, often due to colonial interactions.