APUSH Unit 1

Tenochtitlan

the capital of the Aztec Empire located in present-day Mexico, fell to Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1521, marking a pivotal moment in the Spanish conquest of the Americas and leading to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in the region

Iroquois

formed by five Native American nations (Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida) in the northeastern United States, played a significant role in early colonial dynamics, including alliances and conflicts with European powers, notably the Dutch and English

Maize

was a staple crop cultivated by Native American civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Iroquois, playing a vital role in their economies, cultures, and the development of agricultural societies in the Americas

Columbian Exchange

the widespread exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the New World (the Americas) following Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492, leading to significant demographic, economic, and ecological changes on both continents

Treaty of Tordesillas

signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal, divided newly discovered lands outside of Europe along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands, granting Spain control over most of the Americas and Portugal dominance over Africa and Asia, significantly shaping European colonial expansion and exploration

Conquistador

Spanish explorers and conquerors who played a pivotal role in the exploration, conquest, and colonization of the Americas during the Age of Discovery, including figures like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro

Encomienda

a system of labor established by the Spanish in the Americas, where Spanish colonists were granted control over indigenous peoples' labor and land in exchange for "protection" and Christianization, contributing to the exploitation and abuse of native populations during the colonial period

Valladolid Debates

a series of discussions held in 1550-1551 in Spain between Spanish theologians and intellectuals, notably Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda and Bartolomé de Las Casas, concerning the rights and treatment of indigenous peoples in the Spanish colonies, reflecting broader debates about colonialism and human rights in the early modern period

Asiento

a lucrative contract granted by the Spanish Crown to other European powers, notably the British, allowing them the exclusive right to import enslaved Africans into Spanish colonies in the Americas, contributing significantly to the transatlantic slave trade and colonial economies

Casta System

a hierarchical racial classification system in colonial Latin America, enforced by the Spanish Crown, that categorized individuals based on their ancestry, determining their social status and legal rights within society

Ferdinand and Isabella

unified Spain through their marriage in 1469 and sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492, which led to the establishment of Spanish colonialism in the Americas and marked the beginning of the Age of Exploration

Christopher Columbus

an Italian explorer sponsored by Spain, is credited with the European discovery of the Americas in 1492, which initiated widespread European exploration, colonization, and exploitation of the New World

Bartolomé de las Casas

a Spanish friar and historian, was a prominent advocate for indigenous rights in the Spanish colonies, particularly in the Caribbean, and is known for his efforts to expose and combat the mistreatment and exploitation of Native Americans, contributing to debates about colonialism and human rights in the early modern period

Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda

a Spanish Renaissance humanist, engaged in the Valladolid Debates arguing for the subjugation of Native Americans, providing a theological justification for Spanish colonialism and the encomienda system

Hernán Cortés

a Spanish conquistador, led the expedition that resulted in the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico, significantly expanding Spanish influence in the Americas and initiating the process of European colonization

Big Picture Idea #1

Native American societies in North America developed unique cultures by adapting to their environments. Examples include the small, semi-nomadic tribes of the Great Plains, and transforming the land like the Cahokia mound builders.

Big Picture Idea #2

Maize cultivation supported economic development, advanced farming techniques, and social stratification among native societies such as the Pueblos of the southwest and the Aztecs in present-day Mexico.

Big Picture Idea #3

The Columbian Exchange brought new crops and sources of wealth to Europe from the New World. This brought positive changes to the European economy, while Old World diseases, such as smallpox, devastated Native communities.

Big Picture Idea #4

As Spanish conquistadors sought to extract wealth from the New World, they developed institutions based on enslaving native populations, such as the Encomienda system.