Unit 4 Ap World Key Terms

Primogeniture Laws

Laws that dictated that the eldest son inherited all of his parents' estate.

Omani-European Rivalry

Competition between the Omani Empire and various European powers, particularly the Portuguese, over control of trade routes and ports in the Indian Ocean.

Cartography

The science or practice of drawing maps.

Astronomical Chart

Maps of the stars and galaxies.

Maritime Empires

Empires based on sea travel and overseas colonies.

Mercantilism

An economic policy aimed at maximizing the exports and minimizing the imports for an economy.

Trading Post Empire

An empire established through the control of trading posts rather than large territories.

Manila

Capital of the Philippines. Became a crucial hub for Spanish trade between Asia and the Americas, particularly for the galleon trade that connected Manila with Acapulco, Mexico.

Prince Henry the Navigator

A Portuguese prince and patron of explorers. Sponsored numerous expeditions along the west coast of Africa, leading to significant advancements in navigation and the Portuguese colonial empire.

Galleons

Large, multi-decked sailing ships used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Christopher Columbus

An Italian explorer sponsored by Spain. His 1492 voyage led to the European discovery of the Americas, initiating widespread exploration and colonization.

Bartholomew Diaz

A Portuguese explorer. First European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea route to Asia.

Vasco Da Gama

A Portuguese explorer. First European to reach India by sea, establishing a direct maritime route between Europe and Asia.

Ferdinand Magellan

A Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain. Led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, proving that the Earth could be circumnavigated by sea.

Northwest Passage

A hypothesized sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific through North America.

Jacques Cartier

A French explorer. Explored the St. Lawrence River and claimed parts of Canada for France.

Samuel de Champlain

A French explorer and cartographer. Founded Quebec City and mapped the Great Lakes, laying the groundwork for French claims in North America.

John Cabot

An Italian navigator and explorer working for England. Explored the coast of North America, claiming lands for England.

Henry Hudson

An English navigator and explorer. Explored parts of the Arctic Ocean and northeastern North America, with the Hudson River and Hudson Bay named after him.

Quebec

A city in present-day Canada, founded by Samuel de Champlain. Became the capital of New France and a central hub for French colonial activities in North America.

New France

A French colony in North America. Included parts of modern-day Canada and the United States, known for the fur trade and exploration.

Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in North America. Founded in Virginia in 1607, it became the starting point for the expansion of British colonies in America.

New Amsterdam

A Dutch colonial settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. Later became New York City after being seized by the English, playing a key role in trade and colonial expansion.

Smallpox

A deadly disease caused by the variola virus. Brought to the Americas by Europeans, it devastated indigenous populations who had no immunity.

Horse

Domesticated animal brought to the Americas by Europeans. Transformed the cultures of many Native American groups, particularly in the Plains, by improving hunting and warfare.

Conquistadores

Spanish soldiers and explorers. Led the conquest of the Americas, overthrowing empires like the Aztecs and Incas and establishing Spanish colonies.

Maize

Also known as corn, a staple crop domesticated by indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Cacao

Plant native to the Americas, used to produce chocolate.

Okra

A plant brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans. Became an important ingredient in Southern U.S. cuisine, especially in dishes like gumbo.

Rice

A staple crop originally from Asia. Cultivated in the Americas, particularly in the Southern U.S., often using African agricultural knowledge and labor

Sugarcane

A crop originally from Southeast Asia, brought to the Americas by Europeans. Became a major cash crop in the Caribbean and Brazil, driving the demand for enslaved labor.

Creole

A language and culture that developed in the Caribbean and the Americas, blending African, European, and indigenous influences.

Gumbo

A stew or soup that originated in Louisiana with African, French, and Native American influences.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

The transportation of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Fueled the economies of the Americas and had devastating effects on African societies.

Engenhos

Portuguese term for sugar mills and plantations in Brazil. Known for their brutal working conditions and significant role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Cash Crop

Crops grown for sale rather than for subsistence. Included products like sugar, tobacco, and cotton, which were central to the economies of European colonies.

African Diaspora

the spread of African peoples across the Atlantic via the slave trade. Led to significant cultural, social, and demographic changes in the Americas.

Asante Empire

Located in present-day Ghana. Became a powerful West African state, growing wealthy from gold and the slave trade.

Kingdom of the Kongo

Located in Central Africa. Had significant interactions with Portuguese traders and missionaries, and was involved in the transatlantic slave trade.

Ming Dynasty

China, from 1368 to 1644. Known for its trade expansion, cultural achievements, and the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Aztec Empire

Central Mexico. Known for its complex society, monumental architecture, and eventually conquered by Spanish conquistadores led by Hernán Cortés.

Inca Empire

Andean region of South America. Known for its extensive road systems and sophisticated agricultural practices, and was conquered by Francisco Pizarro.

New Spain

A Spanish colony that included much of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Established following the conquest of the Aztec Empire, with Mexico City as its capital.

Mexico City

Capital of New Spain, built on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán. Became the political and cultural center of Spanish America.

Francisco Pizarro

Spanish conquistador. Led the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire.

Atahualpa

The last Inca emperor. Captured and executed by Pizarro's forces, marking the end of the Inca Empire.

Treaty of Tordesillas

An agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494. Divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese and Spanish empires.

Hispaniola

The island in the Caribbean, now home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas by Christopher Columbus.

Silver

A precious metal extensively mined in the Americas, particularly in Mexico and Peru. Fueled the global economy in the 16th and 17th centuries and contributed to the wealth of the Spanish Empire.

Colonies

Lands settled and controlled by a foreign power. Played a crucial role in the mercantilist policies of European powers.

Indentured Servitude

A labor system where people worked for a specified period in exchange for passage to the Americas. Provided labor for colonies, especially in North America.

Chattel Slavery

A system where individuals are treated as personal property to be bought and sold. Became a foundation of the plantation economy in the Americas.

Encomienda

A Spanish labor system that granted colonists authority over indigenous people to force labor in exchange for protection and Christian teaching. Exploited indigenous labor and resources.

Encomenderos

Spanish settlers granted encomiendas. Benefited from the forced labor and tribute from indigenous people

Coercive Labor System

Systems that forced people to work under threat or actual use of violence.Included slavery, serfdom, and encomienda, and were prevalent in colonial economies.

Hacienda System

Land ownership system. Large estates in Spanish colonies where native people were forced to work. Similar to feudal estates, it was another form of labor exploitation.

Mit'a System

An Inca labor system where citizens provided labor for public projects. Adapted by the Spanish for mining and agriculture in Peru, often coercively.

Middle Passage

The transatlantic journey that brought enslaved Africans to the Americas. Known for its brutality, it was a key part of the Atlantic slave trade.

Capital

Material wealth used to generate more wealth. Essential for the growth of economies, allowing investment in businesses and trade.

Commercial Revolution

A period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism from the late 13th century to the early 18th century. Marked the beginning of global trade and the establishment of colonial empires.

Price Revolution

The high rate of inflation that occurred during the 16th and early 17th centuries. Caused by the influx of gold and silver from the Americas, it significantly impacted European economies.

Joint-Stock Companies

Businesses owned by shareholders that invested in exploration and colonization. Reduced individual risk and allowed for large-scale ventures.

Limited Liability

A principle where investors are not personally responsible for a company's debts beyond their investment. Encouraged investment by reducing financial risk.

East India Company

A British joint-stock company formed in 1600. Played a major role in the colonization of India and the global spice trade.

Dutch East India Company

A Dutch joint-stock company formed in 1602. Dominated trade in Asia and became the world's first multinational corporation.

Triangular Trade

A system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Involved the exchange of slaves, raw materials, and manufactured goods, playing a significant role in the economy of the Atlantic world.

Monopolies

Exclusive control over a trade or industry by a single entity. Allowed governments and companies to dominate markets and accumulate wealth.

Syncretism

The blending of different religious and cultural traditions. Created new, hybrid practices and beliefs, enriching societies.

Polygyny

The practice of a man having multiple wives. Affected social structures and family dynamics, particularly in societies with imbalanced gender ratios.

Creoles

People of European descent born in the Americas. Played a key role in colonial societies and the movements for independence in Latin America.

Santería

A syncretic religion combining African and Catholic elements. Developed in the Caribbean, especially among enslaved Africans.

Vodun

Also known as Voodoo, a religion that originated with African slaves in Haiti. Combines elements of African spirituality and Catholicism, reflecting cultural blending.

Candomblé

A Brazilian religion blending African traditions with Catholicism.

Virgin of Guadalupe

A Catholic figure in Mexico believed to have appeared to an indigenous man in 1531. Became a symbol of Mexican identity and religious syncretism.

Viceroys

Representatives of the Spanish crown in colonial Latin America. Governed large territories on behalf of the Spanish monarch.

Audiencias

Royal courts established in Spanish colonies. Served as administrative and judicial institutions, helping to maintain Spanish control.

Dahomey

A kingdom in West Africa known for its role in the slave trade. Grew wealthy and powerful by capturing and selling enslaved people to European traders.

Oyo

A Yoruba kingdom in present-day Nigeria. Played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, capturing and selling enslaved people.

Ndongo

A kingdom in south-central Africa, in what is now Angola. Ruled by Queen Ana Nzinga, it played a significant role in resisting Portuguese colonization and slave raids.

Matamba

A kingdom in present-day Angola. Became a refuge for Ana Nzinga and her people after conflicts with Portugal, and she developed it into a strong state.

Black Sea

: A sea between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The region around it was home to Cossacks, skilled fighters who played a key role in Russian history.

Steppe

Large areas of flat, unforested grassland in southeastern Europe and Siberia. Home to nomadic peoples and Cossacks, who influenced Russian and Central Asian history.

Maratha Empire

A Hindu warrior state in what is now India. Fought against the Mughal Empire and contributed to its decline.

Mirs

Village communes in Russia. Controlled local land and organized community responsibilities, playing a crucial role in Russian agricultural society.

Ana Nzinga

Queen of Ndongo and Matamba. Known for her resistance against Portuguese colonization and her strategic alliances. A symbol of resistance and state-building in Africa.

Yemelyan Pugachev

A Cossack leader. Led a major peasant rebellion against Catherine the Great in Russia. His rebellion highlighted the discontent among Russian peasants and serfs.

Queen Nanny

A leader of the Maroons in Jamaica. Led escaped slaves in resistance against British colonial forces A national hero in Jamaica for her role in the Maroon Wars.

James II

King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His Catholicism and policies led to the Glorious Revolution. Overthrown in 1688, leading to Protestant rule in England.

William of Orange

Dutch prince who became King of England. Invited to invade England and became king after the Glorious Revolution. His rule marked the beginning of constitutional monarchy in England.

Mohegan

Indigenous people in present-day Connecticut. Allied with the English during conflicts with other Native American tribes and settlers.

Pequot

Indigenous people in present-day Connecticut.Why Important: Fought against English colonists in the Pequot War of 1636-1638.

Wampanoag

Indigenous people in present-day Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Led by Metacom (King Philip) in King Philip's War against English settlers.

Pugachev Rebellion

A major peasant and Cossack uprising in Russia (1773-1775). Highlighted the widespread discontent under Catherine the Great's rule.

Pueblo Revolt

An uprising of Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers in 1680. Successfully drove the Spanish out of present-day New Mexico for several years.

Fronde

A series of civil wars in France (1648-1653). Challenged royal authority and influenced Louis XIV's policies.

Maroon Wars

Conflicts between escaped slaves (Maroons) and colonial powers in Jamaica (1728-1740, 1795-1796). Demonstrated the resistance of enslaved people against colonial rule.

Gloucester County Rebellion

The first recorded slave revolt in the United States (1663) in Virginia. Enslaved Africans and white indentured servants conspired together for freedom.

Metacom's War

Also known as King Philip's War (1675-1678), between Native American tribes and English settlers in New England. The last major effort by Native Americans to drive out English settlers.

Glorious Revolution

The overthrow of King James II of England in 1688. Established William and Mary as co-monarchs and strengthened the role of Parliament.