Old Worlds, New Worlds - History 201

These flashcards cover key events, figures, and concepts from the lecture on the interactions between Europe, Africa, and the Americas during the 14th to 16th centuries.

What were the primary luxury commodities sought by European nations from Ming China and the Orient during the 14th and 15th centuries?

Spices, ceramics, silk, textiles, and tea.

What event in 1453 forced Europeans to seek new trade routes around Africa?

The Ottoman Empire's seizure of Constantinople.

What percentage of Europe's population made their living from the land in the 1400s and 1500s?

90 percent.

What significant social change occurred in Europe after the Black Death?

Higher wages for survivors and expansion of trade due to labor shortages.

Who was Prince Henry the Navigator and what was his contribution to sea exploration?

He established a maritime school, funded explorations, and advanced shipbuilding technology.

What were the two types of ships developed by the Portuguese in the 15th century?

Caravel and Carrack.

What was the primary reason the Portuguese built forts along the African coast?

To trade and protect their interests against organized African kingdoms.

What factors contributed to the European reliance on slavery for sugar production during the 11th century?

The labor-intensive nature of sugar cultivation and the need for cheap labor.

What impact did Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492 have?

He opened up the Americas to European colonization and the Columbian Exchange.

What was the outcome of Hernan Cortes's expedition against the Aztecs?

The fall of the Aztec Empire due to disease and military conquest.

What was the encomienda system?

A system allowing Spanish conquistadors to force labor from Native Americans while providing protection and Christian education.

Who was Bartolome de las Casas and what did he advocate for?

He was a Dominican friar who advocated for the rights of Native Americans and the end of the encomienda system.

What discovery in the 1570s transformed Spain's economy?

The discovery of large silver mines in Central and South America.

What led to the decline of the Inca Empire?

The capture and execution of the Inca ruler by Francisco Pizarro.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Alcacovas?

It established peace between Spain and Portugal and recognized Portuguese claims in Africa.

Why did King Henry VIII break away from the Catholic Church?

To obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon to secure a male heir.

What happened to the English colony at Roanoke?

The colony disappeared with only the word 'CROATOAN' left as a clue.

What were the primary commodities that Portuguese traders exchanged with West Africans?

Iron bars, tools, cloth, and other goods in exchange for gold, pepper, ivory, and slaves.

How did the Protestant Reformation affect European society?

It led to the establishment of independent churches and challenged the authority of the Catholic Church.