United States History & New York History: Beginnings to 1877 - Chapter 2

Lief Eriksson

Son of famous viking Erik the Red who discovered North America because of a sailing voyage blown off-course; settled in 'Vinland' to leave after numerous Native American attacks.

Prince Henry the Navigator

Portugal explorer in 1400s, made several advancements in exploration, but never set out on a voyage

astrolabe

a device that enabled navigators to learn their ship's location by charting the position of the stars

caravels

ships that used triangular sails to improve sailing against strong winds

Christopher Columbus

Italian sailor who set sail in 1492 on a mission given by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to find a quicker trading route to Asia, but instead stumbled upon the Bahamas.

Columbian Exchange

The intended and unintended consequences of trade between Europe and America for food, goods, materials, and diseases.

conquistadors

soldiers who led military expeditions into the Americas.

Francisco Pizarro

a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire

Line of Demarcation

imaginary line which divides the Atlantic Ocean, which Spain could claim all land west of

circumnavigate

go all the way around the globe

encomienda system

gave settlers the right to tax local Native Americans or make them work in exchange for settlers' protection and conversion to Christianity

plantations

large farms that grew only one type of crop

Bartolome de Las Casas

a priest who vouched that the Spanish should attempt to convert Native Americans to Christianity by showing them love, gentleness, and kindness

Printing Press

A mechanical device for transferring text or graphics from a woodblock or type to paper using ink. Presses using movable type first appeared in Europe in about 1450.