SS Exploration Lesson 1-4 Vocab

Prince Henry

Supporter of Portuguese exploration because of his desire to spread Christianity. Devout Catholic and nicknamed “The Navigator”.

Bartolomeu Dias

A Portuguese captain whose ship was blown off course, causing his journey to include exploring Africa’s southeast coast.

Vasco de Gama

A Portuguese explorer who explored the east African coast and the southwestern Indian coast. He brought valuable spices from Calicut in India and discovered a direct sea route to India from Portugal.

Treaty of Tordesillas

The agreement between Spain and Portugal to honor the Line of Demarcation, which was created by Pope Alexander VI when tension arose between the countries about ownership of land.

Dutch East India Company

Established and directed trade throughout Asia for the Dutch. Overpowered England’s East India Company.

Christopher Columbus

A Genoese sea captain who accidentally sailed to the Americas instead of India. He proceeded with this expedition believing he was in India. Moved from place to place in search of gold.

colony

A land that is controlled by another nation.

Hernando Cortes

A Spaniard who went to the Americas in search of new lands to claim for Spain. Conquered the Aztec Empire.

conquistador

A Spanish explorer that helped conquer the regions that would become Mexico, South America, and the United States.

Francisco Pizarro

A Spanish conquistador who went to South America and conquered the Incan Empire. He also killed the Incan leader, Atahualpa. 

Atahualpa

The Incan ruler who was kidnapped and killed by Pizarro and his forces.

mestizo

A person of mixed race between Spanish and Native American parents.

encomienda

the slavery process pushed on Native Americans by the Spanish conquerors. Natives worked for Spanish landlords.

Mughal

A Central Asian Muslim dynasty founded by Babur in the late 15th century that lasted until the mid 17th century. The Mughals shaped much of India’s history and culture.

Babur

Founder of the Mughal empire and a skilled general. His military skills helped expand the empire.

Akbar

A wise and military heavy leader of the Mughal empire. He created cultural diversity and a clever taxation policy for the empire. He is Babur’s grandson.

Sikh

A member of the major religion that believed in human equality.

Shah Jahan

Assassinated his rivals to gain control of the empire. He built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, whom he loved very much.

Taj Mahal

Often referred to as one of the world’s most beautiful building. Built for Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Aurangzeb

An aggressive and military-focused ruler who expanded the Mughal Empire while heavily oppressing his people.

Shivaji

The strongest ruler of a new community called Marathas. Captured by Aurangzeb but escaped and prevented Marathas from being conquered.

Zheng-He

A Chinese explorer who led several voyages to various locations during the Ming Dynasty.

Ming Dynasty

An imperial Chinese dynasty that ruled from the 1368 to 1644. Known for exploration, which led to trade and economic improvement.