The Age of Exploration

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, terms, and figures from the Age of Exploration, focusing on the motivations, technologies, and consequences of European exploration.

The Three Gs

Gold, God, Glory - the motivations behind European exploration.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that a nation's power depends on its wealth, advocating for a favorable balance of trade.

Caravels

A type of ship developed by the Portuguese, known for its speed and maneuverability.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A 1494 agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided newly discovered lands between them.

Conquistadors

Spanish explorers and soldiers who conquered territories in the New World.

Columbian Exchange

The global transfer of food, plants, animals, and diseases between the New and Old Worlds.

Astrolabe

An instrument used to measure the altitude of stars to determine latitude.

Vasco da Gama

The first explorer to successfully reach India by sea around the Cape of Good Hope.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

First European to sight the Pacific Ocean from the Americas.

Encomienda system

A Spanish labor system that rewarded colonists with the labor of particular groups of natives.

Aztec Empire

A Mesoamerican civilization established in present-day Mexico, known for its advances in agriculture, architecture, and trade.

Inca Empire

A vast empire located in present-day Peru, known for its engineering and agricultural achievements.

God, Gold, Glory

The three primary reasons for exploration during the Age of Exploration.

Astrolabe

A device used by sailors to navigate by the stars.

Compass

An instrument for determining direction, used in navigation.

Ferdinand Magellan

Explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.

Printing Press

A machine invented in the 15th century that revolutionized the spread of information.

Missionaries

Individuals who were sent to convert others to their religion, particularly during the Age of Exploration.

Joint-Stock Companies

Businesses owned by shareholders who invest money and share the risks and profits.

Empire

A group of countries or regions under a single authority, often an emperor or empress.

Jan Hus

A reformer before the Protestant Reformation, whose teachings influenced Martin Luther.