age of exploration and columbia

What is the Columbian Exchange?

The exchange of plants, animals, people, and diseases between the Old World and New World after 1492.

What caused the demographic collapse of Amerindians?

A huge drop in Native populations after Europeans came due to diseases like smallpox.

Why were Amerindians vulnerable to diseases brought by Europeans?

They had no immunity to these new diseases.

What does Afro-Eurasian Disease Transmission refer to?

The spread of Old World diseases such as smallpox and measles to the Americas.

What was the goal of Portugal's Trading-Post Empire?

To control trade through small forts along coasts rather than acquiring land.

What forms of coerced labor were used in the Americas?

Encomienda, repartimiento, and African slavery used to grow crops like sugar and tobacco.

What was the significance of the Global Silver Trade?

It connected the Americas, Europe, and China, allowing silver to be used to buy goods.

What major maritime technologies enabled long voyages?

Compass, astrolabe, lateen sail, and caravel made exploration possible.

What are syncretic religious practices?

The mixing of different religions, such as Vodun or Santería.

Why did diseases have devastating effects on Indigenous people?

They had no immunity against the diseases introduced by Europeans.

How did American crops affect Old World populations?

They improved diets and led to population growth.

Why did Europeans seek new routes to Asia?

To acquire Asian goods more cheaply and avoid Muslim middlemen.

What factors led Portugal to lead the age of exploration?

Good location, support from Prince Henry, and advancements in ship technology.

How did silver impact global trade?

It linked the Americas, Europe, and China, facilitating global commerce.

Why did plantations in the Americas rely on enslaved Africans?

Plantations needed large amounts of labor as Native populations were declining.

Give an example of syncretism.

Santería, which combines African religious practices with Catholicism.

Why is the period 1450–1750 considered the first global trade era?

All continents were connected through newly established sea routes.

What importance did navigation tools have during exploration?

They enabled Europeans to travel safely far from land and navigate around Africa.

How did Japan limit foreign influence during this era?

Japan closed itself to most Europeans (sakoku) to protect its culture and prevent the spread of Christianity.

What was the cause and effect relationship regarding European exploration?

The European search for new routes led to the accidental discovery of the Americas.

What was one example of Indigenous resistance against European colonization?

The Pueblo Revolt, where Natives briefly ousted the Spanish.

What similarity is shared among European empires?

All employed forced labor and exploited resources for profit.

Why is the year 1492 significant in global history?

It marked the permanent connection between the Old World and New World.

Summarize the impact of the Columbian Exchange in a few sentences.

The Columbian Exchange drastically transformed lives globally post-1492. It resulted in massive Native American deaths from diseases, the introduction of new food sources to Europe, and the wealth generated by silver linked to Asian trade, alongside the enslavement of millions of Africans.