Studied by 11 people
Hernan Cortes
Definition: Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the conquest of Aztec Mexico in 1519-1521 for Spain.
Significance: He defeated the Aztec empire and claimed Mexico for Spain.
Great Dying
Definition: the devastation of Native American populations by diseases brought over from Europe
Significance: Showcases the "I" in SPICE-T because the lack of interaction from the Afro-Eurasian world caused the absence of acquired immunities to Old World diseases, such as smallpox, measles, influenza, etc-- causing up to 90% of the population to die.
mercantilism
Definition: the belief that there is a fixed amount of wealth in the world, measured in gold and silver. exporting more than it imports -> making more money for self and country.
Significance: Showcases the "E" in SPICE-T because of an increased desire to gain more wealth by exporting more than importing
-one prominent example = global silver trade
trading post empire
Definition: a form of imperial dominance based on control of trade rather than on control of trade rather than on control of subject peoples.
Significance: Portuguese was one of these empires and controlled trade throughout Indian Ocean -- Showcases "E" in SPICE-T
caravel
Definition: a small, fast Portuguese sailing ship of the 15th-17th centuries.
Significance: Showcases the "T" in SPICE-T because it's an innovation that the Portuguese made that was much faster and smaller than other boats and carried a lot of cargo, increasing trade.
New France
Definition: the French colonies of continental North America-- Canada.
Significance: Showcases the "P" in SPICE-T as New France is the expansion of French colonies into the Americas, building a new state.
Jamestown
Definition: the first successful settlement in the Virginia colony
Significance: the first permanent, stable English settlement in North America. Because Jamestown was successful, it provided an example of a sustainable colony to other expeditions heading to the New World.
New Amsterdam
Definition: the capital of the Dutch North American empire.
Significance: the town of New Amsterdam was founded as a way to help protect trading areas further upriver while providing a great port of entry.
Columbian Exchange
Definition: exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus' voyages.
Significance: Connects to the Great Dying because the Colombian Exchange directly contributed to the Great Dying and millions of deaths -- also can connect to "I" in SPICE-T
mulattoes
Definition: the product of European-African Unions
Significance: Showcases the "C" in SPICE-T as it is the combination of African and European cultures as an identity.
mestizo
Definition: term used by Spanish authorities to describe someone of mixed native American and European descent
Significance: Showcases the "C" in SPICE-T as it is the combination of Native American and European cultures as an identity.
transatlantic slave trade
Definition: the brutal system of trading African Slaves from Africa to the Americas.
Significance: It changed the economy, politics, and environment. It affected Africa, Europe, and America. It implies that slaves were used for cash crops and created a whole new economy.
triangular trade
Definition: a three way system of trade during 1600-1800s Africa sent slaves to America, America sent Raw Materials to Europe, and Europe sent Guns and Rum to Africa
Significance: Showcases the "E" in SPICE-T as it demonstrates trade -- boosts economy.
Middle Passage
Definition: the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.
Significance: supplied the New World with its major workforce and brought enormous profits to international slave traders.
African diaspora
Definition: spread of African peoples across the Atlantic via the slave trade.
Significance: contributed in important ways to the economic development of many countries, as well as to social, cultural and political innovations of global significance.
New Spain
Definition: group of Spanish colonies in America
Significance: territory included most of modern-day Mexico; converted Native pop. to Christianity; oversaw economy; developed many educational institutions
Treaty of Tordesillas
Definition: treaty between Spain and Portugal that defined where each could explore and claim land
Significance: divided the New World into Spanish and Portuguese parts of influence (neatly divided the New World)
coercive labor systems
Definition: work a person does for another (or the state) with little to no compensation, some are forced
Significance: was a major labor system and source of labor in America.
encomienda
Definition: granted colonists the right to demand labor of native peoples in the mines and fields
Significance: fundamental to the economics of early Spanish colonies. They saw it as fair, indigenous peoples would provide labor and tribute and would get religious / cultural instruction in return.
mit'a system
Definition: form of tribute to the Inca gov. in the form of labor (tax labor + mandatory public service)
Significance: provided the economic system for the Incan Empire. used for construction, whether architectural or agricultural.
Commercial Revolution
Definition: reform of Europe's economic system centered around trade and developing ideas of capitalism
Significance: increased commerce. There were new innovations in baking and finance promoted growth.
joint-stock company
Definition: large, investor-backed companies
Significance: these companies sponsored exploration and colonization, precursors to modern companies
British East India Company
Definition: private trading companies founded in England and the Netherlands
Significance: were given monopolies and controlled Indian Ocean Trade (includes the right to make war and rule conquered peoples)
Dutch East India Company
Definition: major corporation founded by the Dutch
Significance: monopolized trade between Europe and Asia, greatly changed regions they ventured to because it impacted their economies and culture -- increases economic
Metacom
Definition: leader of a confederation of indigenous peoples
Significance: led one of the most costly wats of resistance in New England history (King Philips War)
Pueblo Revolt
Definition: revolution against Spanish religions, economic, and political institutions imposed on North America
Significance: kept Spanish out of New Mexico for 12 years, helped ensure the survival of cultural traditions, lands, languages, religions, etc.
maroon societies
Definition: societies of people who escaped slavery to create independent groups and communities
Significance: developed their own culture, gov, trade, and military defense against European / American oppressors. Attempted to live as free people
Dahomey
Definition: west African kingdom that became strong through exploitation of slave trade
Significance: raided other villages to enslave people and sold them to europeans. One of the major exporters of enslaved peoples.
Castas
Definition: all children of mixed society
Significance: determined one;s social status, level of taxation, legal rights -- social and cultural
Viceroy
Definition: one who rules a country of province as a representative of his ruler (acts in their name)
Significance: were given control of large areas, was the government system of empires like the Portuguese.
settler colonies
Definition: areas outside Europe where many European immigrants voluntarily settled
Significance: based on theft and exploitation of land, many indigenous peoples' rights and cultures were erased.
Potosi
Definition: city that developed in theAndes (present day Bolivia)
Significance: was home to the world's largest silver mine and became the largest city in the Americas, boosting the economy.
fur trade
Definition: Europeans gave tools and weapons to Native Americans in return for animal fur
Significance: fur trade drove European exploration and colonization. It also made places more wealthy and fostered peaceful relations between indigenous and Europeans.
"soft gold"
Definition: nickname for animal furs
Significance: fur was highly valued for its warmth and symbol of elite status, generated massive wealth, and boosted the economy.
manila galleons
Definition: spanish treasure ships that transported goods like silk, spices, porcelain, etc
Significance: served as an economic lifeline for the Spanish, and was their means of communication and trade with its Philippine colony.f
"silver drain"
Definition: describes the siphoning of money from Europe to pay for luxury products
Significance: by the fact that Europe had few trade goods that were desirable, mercantilism as silver and silver gold fueled continued to be a necessary resource. transatlantic slave trade became increasingly relied on.
Note 
Flashcard (29)