Modern World - Conquest Vocab

Modern World History Honors, Conquests & Exploration Vocabulary Terms

Prince Henry

The son of the king of Portugal, an enthusiastic Explorer and a key figure in the European conquest. He funded expeditions, encouraged Progressive designs, and established a school of navigation

Bartolomeu Dias

A Portuguese explorer who became the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa in the year 1488. His voyage further Advanced Portuguese exploration and trade.

Vasco de Gama

A well-known Portuguese explorer who explored the East African coast and gave Portugal a direct sea route to India. The sea route gave Portugal access to the spices, silks, and gems of the Calicut shops

Treaty of Tordesillas

Treaty that honored the imaginary line that divided land equally between Spain and Portugal. Officially split the newly discovered role and shifted the popularity of colonization.

Dutch East India Company

Company established to make treaties, mint money, establish trade, and raise armies. Dutch company was more powerful than England's, which resulted in the Dutch establishing dominance over England's region

Christopher Columbus

An Italian explorer who completed four voyages for the Spaniards. He initiated widespread exploration and colonization of the Americas

Colony

A country or area under political control of another country. Allowed main country to further expand and gain wealth.

Hernando Cortez

A Spanish explorer who colonized several Caribbean islands. He established Spanish rule in Mexico and influenced the cultures of North and South America.

Conquistador

A conqueror of land. They initiated the colonization of the Americas

Francisco Pizzaro

Spanish Conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire and wrecked its culture, economy, and people. His conquer further spread the Spanish influence and rule

Atahualpa

Incan ruler who was kidnapped by the Spanish conquistadors and brutally murdered. he was the last ruler of the Inca Empire before the empire was conquered by the Spanish 

Mestizo

Mixed Spanish and Native American populations. These populations shaped the social, cultural, and political ideas and beliefs of the two groups.

Encomienda

System in which Native Americans farmed, ranched, or mine for the Spanish landlords. early Spanish colonialism that allowed Spaniards to exploit indigenous people for labor and the lands for resources