Asante Empire
West African kingdom known for its wealth and centralization in the 18th century.
Kingdom of the Kongo
Central African kingdom that engaged in trade with Portugal, influencing regional power dynamics.
Ming Dynasty
Chinese dynasty (1368-1644) noted for its cultural restoration and maritime expeditions.
Aztec Empire
Mesoamerican civilization known for its urban centers, tribute system, and eventual conquest by Spain.
Inca Empire
South American empire noted for its vast territories, advanced engineering, and fall to Spanish conquistadors.
New Spain
A colonial territory established by Spain in the Americas after the conquest of the Aztecs.
Mexico City
Capital of New Spain, built on the ruins of Tenochtitlán after the Spanish conquest.
Francisco Pizarro
Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire in the 16th century.
Atahualpa
Last emperor of the Inca Empire, captured and executed by Pizarro's forces.
Treaty of Tordesillas
1494 agreement dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.
Hispaniola
Caribbean island colonized by Spain, home to the first European settlement in the Americas.
Conquistadores
Spanish explorers and conquerors who led expeditions in the Americas to claim territories.
Silver
Precious metal that became a significant export from the Americas, crucial for European economies.
Mercantilism
Economic theory that promoted government regulation of a nation's economy for augmenting state power.
Colonies
Territories settled and ruled by a foreign power, often used for resource extraction and trade.
Indentured Servitude
Labor system where individuals contracted to work for a fixed term in exchange for passage.
Chattel Slavery
System where individuals were considered property, bought and sold as commodities.
Encomienda
Labor system instituted by the Spanish crown, allowing colonists to demand labor from indigenous peoples.
Encomenderos
Landowners in the Spanish colonies who received land and the right to labor from indigenous peoples.
Coercive Labor System
Systems employing force or threat to compel labor, often leading to exploitation.
Hacienda System
Agricultural estate system where landowners employed indigenous labor to cultivate crops.
Mit’a System
Incan labor tax system adapted by the Spanish to demand labor for mining and agriculture.
Middle Passage
The horrific voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas