Colonial Empires in the Americas and Mercantilism

Vocabulary flashcards covering European colonial empire formation, mercantilist theory, regional economies, and colonial social dynamics in the Americas.

Mercantilism

An economic theory holding that governments best served their countries' economic interests by encouraging exports and accumulating bullion (precious metals such as silver and gold).

Bullion

Precious metals, specifically silver and gold, that European governments sought to accumulate to maximize their wealth and power under mercantilist theory.

Colonies (under Mercantilism)

Territories that served as closed markets for the manufactured goods of the "mother country" and, where possible, supplied large quantities of bullion.

Mesoamerican and Andean Civilizations

Densely populated and urbanized Native American cultures whose distinct character shaped regional colonial development, contrasting with the more sparsely populated rural villages of North America.

Cortés

Spanish conqueror who exemplified the colonial transfer of women by commanding the Aztec ruler to deliver women with light skins, corn, chicken, eggs, and tortillas.

Colonial Regional Economies

Varying economic systems established across the Americas—such as settler-dominated agriculture, slave-based plantations, ranching, or mining—that influenced the development of colonies.