AP_World_History_Unit_Four_Vocabulary

Hernán Cortés

A Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico in the early 16th century.

Great Dying

The devastating demographic impact of European diseases on indigenous populations in the Americas after contact with Europeans.

Little Ice Age

A period of cooler temperatures that lasted from the 14th to the 19th century, impacting climate and agriculture.

General Crisis

A period of widespread social, political, and economic upheaval in the 17th century, marked by wars and revolts.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Old World and the New World following Columbus's voyages.

Peninsulares

Spanish-born individuals residing in the Spanish colonies of the Americas during the colonial period. As members of the highest social class, ________ held significant political, economic, and social power, often occupying the top positions in government and the Church.

Mercantilism

An economic theory and policy that emphasized the accumulation of wealth through favorable trade balances and colonies.

Mestizo

A term used to describe people of mixed European and indigenous American heritage in the Americas.

Mulatto

A term used to describe people of mixed African and European ancestry.

Settler Colony

A type of colony established by settlers from Europe who seek to establish permanent homes in the territory.

Indian Ocean Commercial Network

An extensive trade network connecting regions around the Indian Ocean, facilitating cultural and economic exchange.

Trading Post Empire

An empire that primarily controls key trading posts and routes rather than large territorial holdings.

Spice Trade

The trading of valuable spices such as pepper, cinnamon, and cloves, which drove global exploration and trade.

Philippines

An archipelago colonized by Spain in the 16th century, significant for global trade routes and as a Spanish colony.

Manila

The capital city of the Philippines, serving as a major trading port and center of Spanish colonial administration in Asia.

British East India Company

A British trading company that played a significant role in the colonization of India and other parts of Asia.

Dutch East India Company

A Dutch trading company that established trade networks and territories, particularly in the Indonesian archipelago.

Joint-Stock Company

A business entity where ownership is divided into shares, significant for raising capital for colonial ventures.

Shogun

The highest-ranking military and political leader in Japan during the feudal period, holding significant power.

Tokugawa Shogunate

A long-lasting dynasty that ruled Japan from the early 17th century until the late 19th century, bringing stability.

Silver Drain

The flow of silver from the Americas to Europe and Asia, primarily due to demand for silver as currency.

Piece of Eight

A widely used silver coin in the Americas and around the world, significant in international trade.

Potosí

A city in Bolivia known for its rich silver mines during the colonial period, impacting the global economy.

Fur Trade

The trade in animal furs, particularly beaver pelts, which influenced North American exploration and colonization.

Soft Gold

A term used to describe fur-bearing animals, highlighting the economic value of furs in early colonial America.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

The forced transportation of African people to the Americas as slaves, with significant effects on diaspora communities.

African Diaspora

The dispersion of African people and their descendants across the world, particularly in the Americas.

Maroon Societies / Palmares

Communities of escaped slaves in the Americas forming independent settlements, known for resistance to slavery.

Signares

African women of mixed heritage who acted as traders and intermediaries between European and African merchants.

Benin

A kingdom in West Africa known for its role in the transatlantic slave trade and notable for its art and culture.

Dahomey

A kingdom in West Africa that participated in the transatlantic slave trade, significant in the region's history.

Missionary

A person who spreads a religious faith and conducts conversions, playing a role in the spread of Christianity.

Puritan

A religious group in England and the American colonies known for their strict beliefs and practices.

Andean Christianity

The blending of indigenous Andean religious practices with Christianity during the colonial period.

Taki Onqoy

A religious revival movement in the Andes during the 16th century, significant for resistance to Spanish conversion.

Huacas

Sacred places or objects in Andean indigenous religions, maintaining importance despite Spanish colonization.

Cofradias

Religious brotherhoods in Spanish America that played significant roles in local religious life and governance.

Jesuits in China

A Catholic religious order significant in introducing Christianity to China and fostering cultural exchange.

Matteo Ricci

An Italian Jesuit missionary known for efforts to introduce Christianity to China during the Ming Dynasty.

Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab

An Islamic theologian who founded the Wahhabi movement in the 18th century, impacting Islamic reform.

Wahhabi Movement / Wahhabi Islam

A conservative Islamic movement advocating a return to the teachings of the Quran and Hadith.

Wang Yangming

A Ming Dynasty Chinese philosopher emphasizing self-awareness and moral integrity in intellectual history.

Kaozheng

A Chinese intellectual movement focusing on empirical investigation and critical scholarship during the late Ming.

The Dream of the Red Chamber

A classic Chinese novel by Cao Xueqin, significant in literature for insights into Chinese society and culture.