Discovery of the New World (Study Cards)

Flashcards about the discovery of the new world

What is Constantinople?

A city in the Byzantine Empire, located in modern-day Turkey, that served as a key gateway between East and West.

When did Constantinople fall to the Turks and what was the impact?

1453, creating a problem for Western Europe by disrupting their access to luxury goods from the East.

How did the fall of Constantinople impact the Spanish and other Europeans?

It inspired them to explore new routes to Asia that bypassed the Middle East.

What is the Spanish Reconquista?

A Spanish term meaning 'reconquest,' referring to the centuries-long effort by the Spanish to expel the Moors and recapture their country.

When did the Moor's conquer Spain?

In the 8th century AD (700s), when the Moors conquered Spain.

When was the Spanish Reconquista completed and by whom?

1492, with the defeat of the last Moorish state in Spain, Granada, led by Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile.

How did the completion of the Reconquista create an opportunity for the Spanish?

It allowed them to focus on exploration, with Christopher Columbus seeking their sponsorship for his exploration idea.

What were Columbus's theories about ocean currents?

He believed that the currents in the North Atlantic Ocean followed a clockwise pattern that could be used to sail more quickly to the west.

What are trade winds?

Winds that blow consistently from the Northeast to the Southwest near the Equator.

What are Westerlies?

Winds that blow from the Southwest to the Northeast in the Northern Hemisphere.

What was Columbus's miscalculation?

He grossly miscalculated the distance between Europe and Asia, believing it was much shorter than it actually was.

When did Columbus land in the Caribbean and whom did he encounter?

October 12, 1492, when he encountered the Caribbean islands and the Native Americans, believing it to be China.

How did Columbus treat the Native Americans?

They were cruel and tyrannical, treating them like slaves and working them to death, which led to Spanish authorities stripping him of power.

Who reported Columbus's cruelty to the Spanish authorities?

Bartolome de las Casas, a priest who accompanied Columbus and reported his cruelty to the Spanish king and queen.

Who was Hernan Cortez?

He was a young Spanish nobleman who took a job as an aide to the governor of Cuba, Diego Velasquez, and was later put in command of an expedition to Mexico.

When was Cortez put in command of an expedition to Mexico and why?

In 1519, to explore and potentially conquer the wealthy Aztec Empire.

What was Cortez's Mutiny?

Cortez disobeyed orders and sailed to Mexico, killing a messenger to prevent the orders from reaching him.

Why did Cortez scuttle his ships at Veracruz?

To prevent his men from retreating back to Cuba.

Who was La Maliniche?

A native woman who spoke multiple languages and served as Cortez's translator, interpreter, and diplomat.

What is Nahul?

The Aztec language.

What was Tenochtitlan?

Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire.

Who was Moctezuma II?

Moctezuma II was the ruler of Tenochtitlan and the Aztec Empire.

What happened during the massacre in the Great Temple?

In May of 1520, Spanish soldiers massacred Aztec leaders during a festival in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan, triggering an uprising.

What was La Noche Triste?

La Noche Triste was the night of June 30-July 1, 1520, when the Spanish were forced to retreat from Tenochtitlan, suffering heavy losses.

What is a siege?

A long-term military tactic where a force surrounds a city and tries to capture it through sustained attacks and cutting off supplies.

When did Tenochtitlan fall to Cortez and the Spanish?

In August 1521, after a year-long siege.

What city did the Spanish build on the ruins of Tenochtitlan?

Mexico City.

Who conquered the Inca Empire?

Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire in 1533.

Who explored the Southeastern United States for riches?

Hernando de Soto, who explored the Southeastern United States in search of a fabulously rich civilization but died in battle.

What were galleons?

Galleons were very big, very heavy, very well armed ships used to transport gold, silver, and precious materials from the New World to Spain.

What is New Spain?

It's a term for the Spanish empire in the New World.

What was the society like in New Spain?

A mixed society with a pyramid-type structure consisting of enslaved persons, Native Americans, mestizos, crioles, and Peninsulares.

Who were the Mestizos?

People who have both Spanish and Native American blood.

Who were the Crioles?

People born in the New World, but both of their parents were Spanish.

Who were the Peninsulares?

Spaniards who were born in Spain and had the highest rank.

What is an encomienda system?

An encomienda system is where Spaniards were given land grants and the right to demand work from the Native Americans.

When did the Spanish set up a regular system for their empire?

By the sixteenth century, with the creation of the Law of the Indies.

What was the Law of the Indies?

The Law of the Indies was a legal framework with dozens of laws that establish the Spanish model for their empire, including protection for natives and patterns for settlements.

What are Pueblos?

Civilian towns with a church and residential zones.

What are Presidios?

Forts or military bases where the soldiers live.

What are Missions?

Church settlements that are used for converting Native Americans.