AP US History Unit 1 Review: European Encounters in the Americas

A set of vocabulary flashcards to help prepare for the AP US History exam, focusing on key concepts and terms related to European encounters in the Americas.

Contextualization

Placing historical events within their broader historical setting, understanding relationships with social, political, economic, and cultural circumstances.

Encomienda System

A Spanish colonial labor system that granted colonizers control over Native American workers to support agricultural and resource extraction.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of crops, animals, diseases, and ideas between Europe and the Americas following Columbus's 1492 voyage.

Mestizo

A person of mixed European and Native American ancestry within the Spanish caste system.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasized the importance of accumulating gold and silver and maintaining a favorable balance of trade.

Nomadic Societies

Communities that move seasonally in search of resources, often seen among Native American tribes in the Great Plains.

Cahokia

A major urban center of the Mississippian culture with a population of over 20,000, notable for its large earthen mounds.

Spanish Conquistadors

Spanish soldiers and explorers known for the conquest of Native empires like the Aztecs and Incas.

Joint-Stock Companies

Business enterprises where multiple investors pooled capital and shared profits, often used to finance exploration.

Treaty of Tordesillas

The 1494 agreement that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Caste System

A hierarchical social structure developed by the Spanish that categorized and defined the status of Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans.

Triangular Trade

The transatlantic trading system that involved the exchange of goods, enslaved people, and natural resources between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Smallpox

A highly contagious disease brought to the Americas by Europeans, leading to catastrophic population declines among Native Americans.

Bison Hunting

A significant economic activity for many Great Plains tribes, where hunting bison was essential for sustenance.

Cultural Exchange

The transfer and adaptation of cultural elements, such as agricultural practices and religious beliefs, between different groups.

Transatlantic Voyages

Ocean voyages across the Atlantic Ocean connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas from the late 15th century onward.

Military Resistance

Armed opposition by Native Americans against European encroachment on their lands.

Caravel

A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship utilized by the Portuguese and Spanish in the Age of Exploration.