Key Concepts in Early Modern Exploration, Colonization, and Trade

7 Years War

Global conflict (1756-1763) over colonies & trade; British victory strengthened empire.

hacienda

Large Spanish colonial estate using coerced labor.

Mit'a

Inca rotational labor system; later exploited by Spanish in mines.

astrolabe

Navigation tool measuring latitude using stars.

Henry the Navigator

Portuguese prince who promoted exploration along Africa.

Philippines

Spanish colony in Asia; key hub for trade.

Aztec

Mesoamerican empire conquered by Cortes; in modern Mexico.

Hispaniola

First Spanish colony in Americas (Haiti/Dominican Republic).

Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire.

caravel

Small, fast, maneuverable ship used for exploration.

horse

Introduced to Americas; transformed transportation & warfare.

Portugal

European maritime power; focused on trading post empire.

chattel

Type of slavery where people are property.

Inca

South American empire; exploited by Spanish for silver and labor.

potatoes

New World crop that boosted European population.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, diseases between Old & New Worlds.

indentured servitude

Labor system where people work temporarily for passage or debt repayment.

primogeniture

Eldest son inherits estate; pushed younger sons to explore or migrate.

compass

Navigation tool showing direction.

Japan

Closed country in 1600s; limited European contact (sakoku).

sepoys

Indian soldiers under European colonial powers.

conquistadors

Spanish conquerors of the Americas.

lateen

Triangular sail allowing ships to sail against wind.

silver

Precious metal mined in Americas; key global trade commodity.

Cortes

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire.

Magellan

Led first circumnavigation of the globe.

small pox

European disease that devastated Native Americans.

creole

Descendants of Europeans born in the Americas.

maize

Corn; New World crop spread to Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Spain

European power; colonized Americas; focused on silver, sugar, and conquest.

DeGama

Portuguese explorer; first to reach India by sea.

mercantilism

Economic system; colonies provide wealth to mother country.

sugar

Cash crop in Americas; drove demand for slave labor.

Dutch

European power; controlled spice trade & trading posts.

middle passage

Journey of enslaved Africans to Americas across Atlantic.

Tordesillas

Treaty dividing new lands between Spain and Portugal.

encomienda

Spanish labor system forcing natives to work in mines & plantations.

Ming

Chinese dynasty; restricted foreign trade but participated in global silver trade.

trading post empire

Empire built by controlling strategic ports for trade, not large territory.