Review of European Exploration and Trade

A comprehensive review of key terms, people, events, and concepts related to European exploration and trade.

What is Mercantilism?

An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth through trade and maintaining a favorable balance of exports over imports.

What does the term Columbian Exchange refer to?

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, people, and diseases between the Old World and the New World following Columbus's voyages.

What was the Encomienda System?

A labor system that granted Spanish colonists the right to demand tribute and forced labor from Indigenous peoples.

What was the Middle Passage?

The sea journey undertaken by slave ships from West Africa to the Americas.

What does Triangular Trade describe?

A system of transatlantic trade in which goods and slaves were exchanged between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

What is a Joint-Stock Company?

A business entity in which shares of ownership are sold to investors to fund various ventures, particularly in exploration.

What occurred during the Commercial Revolution?

A period of European economic expansion, increased trade, and the establishment of capitalist practices.

What does it mean to Circumnavigate?

To travel all the way around the world or a particular landmass.

What is a Caravel?

A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century for exploration.

What was the Line of Demarcation?

An imaginary line set by the Treaty of Tordesillas dividing Spanish and Portuguese territories in the New World.

What was Prince Henry the Navigator known for?

He was a Portuguese prince who sponsored early expeditions along the African coast and promoted maritime exploration.

What was Christopher Columbus's contribution?

He completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

What did Ferdinand Magellan accomplish?

He led the first expedition to successfully circumnavigate the globe.

What was Vasco da Gama famous for?

He was the first European to reach India by sea, linking Europe and Asia via the ocean.

What was Bartolomeu Dias's significance?

He was the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa, reaching the Cape of Good Hope.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)?

It divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal along a meridian in the Atlantic.

What impact did the Columbian Exchange have?

It facilitated the exchange of crops, livestock, and ideas, drastically changing both European and Native American societies.

What was the outcome of the Rise of the Atlantic Slave Trade?

The forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas, leading to significant demographic and cultural changes.

What does the Commercial Revolution entail?

A period marked by a rise in commerce and trade, which contributed to the development of modern economies.

What was the significance of the Dutch East India Company founded in 1602?

It became a powerful entity in the spice trade and played a significant role in Dutch colonial endeavors.

What was the main motivation for European exploration during the 1400s?

The pursuit of new trade routes and resources, particularly for spices and gold.

Which country first established trade routes around Africa to India?

Portugal was the first European country to establish trade routes around Africa.

How did the introduction of potatoes impact Europe?

It led to population growth and contributed to changes in agricultural practices.

How did the Treaty of Tordesillas affect Spain and Portugal?

It established territorial claims that influenced the balance of power and competition between the two nations.

Why was mercantilism important for developing European empires?

It shaped economic policies that favored accumulation of wealth, fueling colonization and competition among European nations.

How did the Columbian Exchange change Europe and the Americas?

It created a two-way transfer of goods and populations that altered diets, economies, and societies.

How did the transatlantic slave trade connect to mercantilism?

It provided a labor force for plantations, promoting trade and wealth accumulation in Europe.

What were the differences between Spanish and Portuguese colonization strategies?

Spain focused on conquest and colonization of large territories, while Portugal aimed for trade and establishing coastal outposts.

What was the long-term impact of European exploration on Indigenous populations?

It led to significant population declines due to disease, warfare, and displacement, profoundly altering Indigenous cultures.

What is the significance of the Cape of Good Hope?

It allowed for direct sea trade to Asia by providing a navigable route around Africa.

What role did the Caribbean Islands play in Spanish colonization?

They were the first areas colonized following Columbus's voyages and were crucial for sugar production.

Why was West Africa central to the transatlantic slave trade?

It was the region where Europeans exchanged goods for enslaved people who were then transported to the Americas.

What areas were colonized by Spain in Mesoamerica and South America?

The Aztec and Incan empires were major targets for colonization, resulting in drastic population declines.

What influenced India's control by Portugal?

The spice trade led to Portuguese dominance before later British control.