APUSH Period 1: 1491-1607 Chapters 1&2

Christopher Columbus

Spanish explorer born in Italy.

Persuaded Spanish monarchs to sponsor his expedition to sail across the Atlantic in search of Asia and prove the world was round. 3 small ships, discovered New World. 3 further voyages ending on South American mainland

Hernán Cortés

1st of Spanish conquistadors.

Overthrew Aztec empire by conquering capital and deposing its emperor. He destroyed their capital completely, established Mexico City as new capitol of New Spain and served briefly as governor

Moctezuma

Aztec emperor during Spanish conquest. Fought for his empire against Cortes but eventually fell and was disposed of

Malinche (Doña Marina after being baptized)

Nahua woman from Mexican Gulf Coast played role in Spanish conquest of Mexico. Acting as interpreter, advisor, lover, and intermediary for Cortes. 1 of 20 women servants given to the Spaniards by tabascoo natives. Becomes mistress to Cortes and gave birth to his first son.

Francisco Pizarro

Spanish conquistador. Defeated the Inca Empire in 1533 set up puppet monarchy at Cuzco. Built capitol at Lima where he was assassinated

Bartolomé de Las Casa

16th century spanish historian, social reformer and Dominican Friar. 1st resident Bishop of Chiapas. Anointed "protector of the Incas" Extensive writings about atrocities committed by colonizers against the indigenous people

Francisco Coronado

Spanish Conquistador who visited New Mexico and other parts of present-day Southwest US 1540-1542. Hoped to conquer the mythical 7 cities of gold

Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot)

Italian navigator and explorer whose 1497 discovery of parts of North America under commission of Henry VII of England 1st European encounter with mainland since Vikings

Father Junipero Serra

Spanish Franciscan friar who founded the 1st 9 of 21 Spanish missions in California. San Diego, San Fran Alta Cali- Las Cali's Province in New Spain Began in 1769 and establish headquarters in Monterey, California as Mission San Carlos Borrome de Carmelo

Isabella of Aragon/Castile

Queen of Castile and Leon wife to Ferdinand II. Brought stability to kingdoms that became basis for the political unification

Ferdinand of Aragon

King of Castile and Aragon known as the Catholic. He and wife Isabella instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and supported the expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Their capture of Granado from moors the same year effectively united Spain as 1 country

Robert de la Salle

French Explorer who explored the Great Lakes region of US and Canada, the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico/ Claimed entire Mississippi Basin for France

Henry VIII

English Protestant Reformation in 1530s

Break from the Roman Catholic Church

Elizabeth I

The unmarried ruler who established English Protestantism and fought the Catholic Spanish

Sir Francis Drake

English sea-dog who plundered Spanish treasure ships and settlements, who was knighted by Elizabeth I

Sir Walter Raleigh

English courtier, navigator, colonizer, and writer. A favorite of Elizabeth I, he introduced tobacco and the potato to Europe. Convicted of treason by James I, he was released for another expedition to Guiana and executed after its failure

John Rolfe

He began to experiment with harsh Virginia tobacco in 1612. He also married Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan ( these both provided stability for the colony)

James I

"wisest fool in Christendom" he had an undiplomatic tongue. he promoted the theory of divine right. he ended the war with catholic spain and threaten to banish the puritans

John Smith

A ships captain that took control of the Jamestown colony and built a fort in 1608. He forced the settlers to work harder and to build better housing by creating rules that rewarded harder workers with food

Powhatan

Indian leader who ruled tribes in the James River area of Virginia

Lord De La Warr

Harsh military governor of Virginia who employed "Irish tactics" against the Indians

Lord Baltimore

The Catholic aristocrat who sought to build a sanctuary for his fellow believers

Oliver Cromwell

After Charles was killed he became the head of the parliament. He extended religious tolerance to all but the Catholics and the Anglicans. He was resented by the public.

James Oglethrope

dictator-like soldier-statesman who founded the Georgia colony

Hiawatha

Legendary founder of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy