Age of Exploration Vocabulary

Astrolabe

Used to help sailors determine their distance north or south of the equator

Caravel

A small, light ship developed by the Portuguese that performed well on long voyages

Cartography

The science of making maps and globes

Circumnavigate

To sail completely around the globe

Colonization

Establishments of new settlers and their culture in other territories

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of people, plants, animals, and ideas between the Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere

Compass

A device with a magnetized piece of metal that points north; used for navigation

Conquistador

A Spanish soldier or explorer

Dehumanize

Deprive of positive human qualities

Detrimental

Something that does harm or damage

Encomienda

System where Spanish settlers were given a large plot of land and a number of enslaved workers

Epidemic

An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads quickly and over a wide geographic area

Harrison's Chronometer

A navigational tool used to determine longitude by using an advanced timekeeping system, similar to a clock

Immunity

Natural defense against disease

Indigenous People

Nomadic people within certain borders

Mercantilism

An economic policy by which nations try to gather wealth by controlling trade and establishing colonies

Monopoly

A market structure characterized by a single seller, selling a unique product in the market. The seller faces no competition, as they are the sole seller of goods with no close substitute.

New World

Referring to the new lands discovered by Europeans in the 1400s: North America, South America, and Central America

Oppress

To keep someone in obedience, against their will

Skilled Workers

An individual that is knowledgeable about a specific skill or trade

Smallpox

A disease that was carried by the conquistadors and killed many indigenous people

Strait of Magellan

Channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, between the mainland tip of South America and Antarctica

Bartolomeu Dias’ Route

Sailed for Portugal. First to reach the Cape of Good Hope but had to turn back.

Vasco de Gama’s Route

Sailed for Portugal. Rounded the Cape of Good Hope and reached India.

Christopher Columbus’ Route

Sailed for Spain. Landed in the Bahamas and other parts of the Caribbean. Thought he landed in India.

Amerigo Vespucci’s Route

Sailed for Spain. Explored South America and the Caribbean. Took notes on flora and fauna. Deduced this was a new world.

Ferdinand Magellan’s Route

Sailed for Spain to find a strait. His crew successfully circumnavigated the Earth.

Hernando de Soto’s Route

Sailed for Spain to become rich. Travelled across the southern US in search of gold, attaching many Native Americans on the way. First to find the Mississippi River.

Henry Hudson’s Route

Sailed for England looking for a northern passage to India.

Jacques Cartier’s Route

Sailed for France. Explored many eastern territories of Canada.