European Colonial Expansion

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key navigators, voyages, colonial powers, and the impact of the slave trade during European colonial expansion.

Magellan's voyage

A Spanish-backed expedition from 1519-1522 where the fleet completed the first global circumnavigation, though Magellan was killed at the Philippines.

Amerigo's voyage

A 1507 Spanish expedition that discovered the West Indies was on a new continent, resulting in America being named after the navigator.

Dutch colonial dominance

Occurred in the 17th century when the Dutch dominated world trade and colonized India, Indonesia, Sri Lank, and Taiwan.

Anglo-Dutch wars

Conflicts with Britain that led to the decline of the Dutch after their defeat.

British colonial expansion

Became the dominant power after defeating Spain and the Netherlands, colonizing North America, India, and South Africa.

Bartholomew Diaz's voyage

A 1488 Portuguese expedition that arrived at the Cape of Good Hope.

Columbus's voyage

A 1492 Spanish expedition that discovered the West Indies in central America, leading to Spain seizing America.

da Gama's voyage

A Portuguese expedition that reached Calicut in India, making Portugal rich because of the spice trade.

Root causes of expansion

Factors including increased interest in the world, the acquisition of rare exotic products, the search for new trade routes to Asia, and the desire of Kings and Nobles in Spain and Portugal to expand national territories.

Slavery in Africa

A system where tribal chiefs were bribed to help merchants catch Africans and sell them to America.

Slavery in America

A system where American Indians were forced to work, with some being killed and others dying from overworking.

Slavery in Europe

The practice of gaining cheap labour by forcing American Indians and Africans to work for plantations in America.