Unit 1: Native American Societies and European Exploration (1491-1607)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to Native American societies and European exploration in the context of U.S. history from 1491 to 1607.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of people, plants, animals, diseases, and culture between the Americas and the Old World after 1492.

Three Sisters Farming

An agricultural technique involving the planting of maize, beans, and squash together, which supported sustainable agricultural practices.

Matrilineal Society

A social system in which lineage is traced through the mother rather than the father, characteristic of some Native American groups.

Encomienda System

A labor system in which Spanish colonists were granted the right to extract labor from Indigenous people, often leading to exploitation.

Caste System

A hierarchical structure that developed in Spanish colonies, categorizing individuals based on race and origin, affecting social status.

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used by navigators to measure the altitude of the stars, helping in navigation during the Age of Exploration.

Joint-Stock Companies

Business entities that enabled multiple investors to pool funds for exploration and colonization, spreading out financial risk.

Decimation by Disease

The significant decline in Native American populations due to diseases such as smallpox, introduced by Europeans.

Cahokia

A major pre-Columbian Native American city, known for its large earthen mounds and complex urban structures, located near present-day St. Louis.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

The forced transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, which developed as a response to labor needs for cash crops.