Age of Exploration Prep Guide Vocabulary Terms

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms related to the Age of Exploration.

monopoly

The exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.

caravel

A small, fast Spanish or Portuguese sailing ship of the 15th–17th centuries.

astrolabe

An ancient tool used by astronomers and sailors to measure the altitude of stars.

compass

An instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north.

cartography

The science or practice of drawing maps.

circumnavigate

To sail or travel all the way around something, especially the world.

encomienda

A system where Spanish colonists were granted land and could demand labor from Indigenous people.

bullion

Gold or silver in the form of bars or ingots.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World.

immunity

The ability of an organism to resist infection or illness.

mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing international trade and accumulating wealth.

colonization

The act of establishing a colony in a territory.

capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of production and operations for profit.

inflation

The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises.

cottage industry

A manufacturing activity carried out in the home, often involving artisans.