New and Old Worlds Meet

VOCABULARY flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the encounter between the Old and New Worlds and related social, economic, and cultural ideas.

Pre-Columbian world

The world as it existed before Columbus’s 1492 arrival, characterized as regional within continents and home to about 400 million people.

ecumene

The known inhabited lands; Europeans believed lands beyond were a vast void surrounded by an ocean.

Eurasia

The combined landmass of Europe and Asia, from which many Native American ancestors migrated.

Beringia

The land bridge that connected Siberia and Alaska during ice ages, enabling migration into North America.

land bridge

A broad marshy expanse during low sea levels that allowed ancient peoples to move between continents.

Nomadic hunter-gatherers

Early peoples who moved across landscapes following game and seasonal resources.

Agricultural Revolution

The shift from hunting and gathering to farming and settled life, enabling larger populations and civilizations.

Mesoamerica

The region from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to Guatemala and Honduras where the Mayans lived.

Mayan civilization

A pre-Columbian civilization in Mesoamerica known for cities, crafts, writing, zero, and calendars.

matrilineal kinship

Kinship and lineage traced through the mother’s line, shaping social organization.

matrilocality

When a married man moves to live with his wife’s family, strengthening matrilineal ties.

clan

A group of related extended families forming a social unit.

tribe

A collection of related clans; a higher-level social and political unit.

extended family

A multi-generational network that forms the basic unit of many Native societies.

matriarch

An older female leader in a matrilineal society.

kinship

The network of people related by blood ties; governs social organization.

village chief

Male leader of a village, typically chosen by elder women and removed if he defies their will.

shaman

A tribal religious leader or healer who communicates with spirits.

animism

Belief that natural objects and phenomena have living spirits; nature as sacred.

Old World capitalism

The rise of merchant capitalism—private enterprise pursuing wealth via trade.

merchant capitalist

A trader-class that seeks profit through commerce and exchange.

nation-states

Strong centralized states (e.g., Spain, France, England) that emerged and competed for power.

gunpowder revolution

Advances with muskets and cannons that undermined armored knights and changed warfare.

Age of Discovery

Era when European powers funded voyages, refined navigation, and expanded global exploration.

navigational aids

Tools like the magnetic compass and astrolabe that helped determine position at sea.

cartography

The science of map-making; maps became more accurate as exploration expanded.

patrilineal

Lineage traced through the father; male descent defines family lines.

Christianization

European belief that Native Americans should convert to Christianity.

ritual of trade

From the Native perspective, trade was a ceremonial act that built trust and alliances.

beaver skin trade

A key exchange where Native Americans traded beaver pelts for European goods, often tied to ritual relationships.