Flashcards for Early Civilizations, Exploration, and Colonial History

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from early civilizations, exploration, and colonial history.

Maya

Advanced Mesoamerican civilization known for writing, astronomy, and pyramids.

Aztec

Empire in central Mexico with its capital at Tenochtitlán, conquered by Hernán Cortés.

Inca

Empire in the Andes known for road systems, architecture, and terrace farming, conquered by Pizarro.

Mercantilism

Economic system where colonies existed to enrich the mother country; advocates for more exports and fewer imports.

Renaissance

Cultural rebirth in Europe that encouraged exploration through new technology.

Conquista Señorial

Spanish nobility-led conquests establishing control over Indigenous lands.

Silk Road

Trade routes connecting Europe and Asia, blocked by the Ottoman Empire, thus motivating sea exploration.

Christopher Columbus

Italian navigator credited with 'discovering' the Americas in 1492.

Conquistadors

Spanish conquerors of the Americas.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

First European to see the Pacific Ocean; established small army for western expedition.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who led the campaign against the Aztecs and became Governor of New Spain.

Francisco Pizarro

Conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire, motivated by its wealth.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés

Spanish explorer who sent goods from Florida back to Spain, known as the treasure voyage.

Pedro Álvares Cabral

Portuguese explorer who established a colony in Brazil.

Ferdinand Magellan

Navigator who led the first circumnavigation of the globe.

The Columbian Exchange

The transfer of goods, ideas, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.

Diseases

Played a key role in weakening the Aztec Empire during the conquest.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Catholic Church

Institution that played a central role in colonization and spread of Christianity.

Requerimiento

Declaration demanding Indigenous people's submission to Spanish authority.

Patronage Systems

Power structures based on loyalty and favors.

Catholic Orders

Religious groups, such as the Jesuits, involved in conversion and education.

Hacienda

Large estates that utilized Indigenous and African labor.

Encomienda

System granting Spanish settlers authority over Indigenous laborers.

De Las Casas

Spanish priest who advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Valladolid Debate

Discussion on the ethics of Spanish conquest and treatment of Indigenous peoples.

New Laws

1542 laws that limited the power of encomenderos and aimed to protect Indigenous people.

Repartimiento

A labor draft system that replaced the encomienda system but was still exploitative.

Triangle Trade

Transatlantic exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials.

Slavery

Forced labor system involving Africans in plantations and mines.

Treasure Fleets

Spanish ships carrying wealth from the Americas to Europe.

Piracy/Privateers

State-sponsored pirates attacking treasure ships.

Casta System

Racial hierarchy established in colonial Latin America.

Peninsular

Europeans sent to manage colonies in the New World.

Creoles

Wealthy Spaniards born in the Americas, often excluded from top positions.

Mestizo

Individuals of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry.

Indios

Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Negro

Historical term for individuals of African descent.

Council of the Indies

Spanish governing body overseeing colonial affairs.

Vice Royalties

Major administrative divisions within Spanish America.

Audiencias

Colonial courts serving administrative and judicial roles.

Redensia

Possible reference to colonial administrative systems.

Inflation

Economic impact caused by an influx of silver from the Americas.

The Enlightenment

European intellectual movement focused on reason, liberty, and individual rights.

Industrial Revolution

Technological and economic changes that influenced colonial economies.

Creole Elite

Wealthy, American-born Spaniards who led independence movements.

American Revolution

Event that inspired Latin American colonies to seek independence.

French Revolution

Event that spread revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality.

Napoleonic Wars

Conflicts that weakened Spain and Portugal, opening pathways for uprisings.

Saint-Domingue

French colony that became Haiti following the revolution.

Hispaniola

Island shared by Haiti (west) and Dominican Republic (east).

Santo Domingo

Spanish colony located on the eastern side of Hispaniola.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution.

Slave Rebellions

Uprisings against slavery, notably successful in Haiti.

Dessalines

Succeeded Toussaint and declared independence for Haiti in 1804.

Napoleon

French leader who attempted to retake Saint-Domingue but failed.

War of Independence

1791–1804 revolution leading to Haiti becoming the first Black republic.

Simón Bolívar

Leader of independence movements in northern South America.

Influences on Bolívar

Inspired by Enlightenment, Napoleon, and Revolutionary ideals.

Cartagena Manifesto

Bolívar's call for unity and leadership after failed republican experiments.

The Letter from Jamaica

Bolívar's vision for a unified Latin America.

Battle of Boyacá

Decisive victory securing New Granada’s independence in 1819.

José de San Martín

Leader of independence movements in southern regions like Argentina.

Guayaquil Conference

1822 meeting between Bolívar and San Martín discussing Latin America's future.

Bolivia

Country named after Simón Bolívar, gaining independence in 1825.

Bolivarian Governance

Bolívar's vision for stable, centralized governments in Latin America.

João VI

Portuguese king who fled to Brazil during the Napoleonic Wars.

Pedro I

Declared Brazil's independence in 1822 and became its first emperor.

Pedro II

Son of Pedro I, ruled Brazil until the monarchy's abolition in 1889.

Regresso

Conservative political movement that reversed reforms in Brazil.

Hidalgo Revolt

1810 uprising led by Miguel Hidalgo, marking the start of Mexican independence.

Plan of Iguala

1821 agreement for Mexican independence, emphasizing unity and Catholicism.

Berlin Conference

1884-1885 meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves.

Mineral Revolution

Economic transformation in South Africa prompted by diamond and gold discoveries.

Indirect Rule

British colonial governance using local rulers to administer colonies.

Direct Rule

Colonial governance where European officials directly control the administration.

Congress Alliance

Coalition of anti-apartheid groups in South Africa in the 1950s-1960s.

Aztecs

Powerful Indigenous civilization in present-day Mexico, known for warfare and tribute systems.

Conquista Señorial

System of private conquests led by Spanish nobles, ruling over Indigenous labor.

Hernán Cortés

Key figure in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

The Columbian Exchange

Significant exchange of goods and diseases between the Old World and the New World.

Requerimiento

Legal document read to Indigenous populations demanding their submission to Spanish rule.

Encomienda

System granting Spanish settlers rights to Indigenous labor in exchange for protection.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution who fought for abolition and independence.

Simón Bolívar

Venezuelan leader crucial for Latin America's independence movements.

The Plan of Iguala

Declaration uniting different factions in Mexico around independence from Spain.