Unit 11: Empires and Exploration

push factors

a factor that causes people to leave their homelands and migrate to another region

pull factors

A factor that draws or attracts people to another location

Christopher Columbus

He mistakenly discovered the Americas in 1492 while searching for a faster route to India.

Incas

Ancient civilization (1200-1500AD) that was located in the Andes in Peru. A Native American people who built a notable civilization in western South America in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Francisco Pizarro of Spain conquered the empire.

Mayans

1500 B.C. to 900 A.D. This is the most advanced civilization of the time in the Western Hemisphere. Famous for its awe-inspiring temples, pyramids and cities. A complex social and political order. Disappeared due to warfare and natural disasters.

Aztecs

(1200-1521) 1300, they settled in the valley of Mexico. Grew corn. Engaged in frequent warfare to conquer others of the region. Worshiped many gods (polytheistic). Believed the sun god needed human blood to continue his journeys across the sky. Practiced human sacrifices and those sacrificed were captured warriors from other tribes and those who volunteered for the honor. Conquered by Cortes.

Olmecs

(1400 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E.) earliest known Mexican civilization ,lived in rainforests along the Gulf of Mexico, developed calendar and constructed public buildings and temples, carried on trade with other groups. Priests/aristocrats were at the top of society, built a ceremonial center, worshiped the jaguar. Best remains are the stone carved heads at la venta, use of calendar, spread through trade, known for art, most important legacy was priestly leadership and devotion.

Dutch East India Company

a trading company established by the Netherlands in 1602 to protect and expand its trade in Asia

Cape of Good Hope

Southern tip of Africa; first circumnavigated in 1488 by Portuguese in search of direct route to India.

Magellan, Ferdinand

Portuguese mariner who commanded the first European (Spanish) fleet to circumnavigate the globe (1519-1521).

Ming Dynasty

Succeeded Mongol Yuan dynasty in China in 1368; lasted until 1644; initially mounted huge trade expeditions to southern Asia and elsewhere, but later concentrated efforts on internal development within China. Refused European goods unless given gold or silver.

Qing Dynasty of China

The last imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Ming Dynasty and succeeded by the people's republic. Formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. Expanded economically and continued to not accept European goods.

Hermit Kingdom

Korea kept outsiders away from entering society except Japan and China, eventually closing off from the world

Closed Country Policy

Japan's policy of banning foreign missionaries and traders to Japan. The only port where trade could commence was Nagasaki, where Chinese and Dutch merchants were the only ones allowed to trade. This allowed Japan to have the favorable balance of trade.

cacao

Tropical tree whose seeds are used to make chocolate and cocoa

Hernan Cortes (1485-1547)

Spanish Conquistador who defeated the Aztec Empire and claimed Mexico for Spain

Fransisco Pizarro

Spanish explorer who led the conquest of the Inca Empire of Peru in 1531-1533.

Conquistador

A Spanish conqueror of the Americas

Encomienda

A grant of land made by Spain to a settler in the Americas, including the right to use Native Americans as laborers on it

Mestizo

A person of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.