colonial origins and mercantilism

Columbus

Explorer who mistakenly discovered the Americas in 1492.

Aztecs

Advanced society in Mexico known for science and math.

Mayans

Central American civilization known for their calendar.

Incas

South American civilization known for advanced building skills.

Vikings

First Europeans to land in Newfoundland, Canada around 1,000 AD.

Treaty of Tordesillas

1492 agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of goods between Old World and New World.

Joint-stock company

Corporation with shared ownership and limited liability.

Jamestown

First successful English colony in Virginia, established in 1607.

House of Burgesses

First legislative assembly in Virginia, established in 1619.

Headright System

Each colonist received land for bringing in new settlers.

Indentured servitude

Labor system where workers paid off debt with service.

Bacon's Rebellion

1675-6 uprising due to social and economic disparities in Virginia.

Pilgrims

Separatists who arrived on the Mayflower in Plymouth in 1620.

Puritans

Calvinists who sought to purify the Church of England.

Mayflower Compact

Agreement for self-government among Pilgrims in Plymouth.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Colony established in 1630 by Puritans in Boston.

King Philip's War

1675-76 conflict between Mass. Bay Colony and neighboring Indians.

Mercantilism

Economic system aiming to create wealth and power through colonies.

Navigation Acts

Regulations controlling trade between colonies and mother country.