History Week 2 Terms

Reconquista

The period of history in which Christian armies sought to reclaim territory in the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, culminating in the capture of Granada in 1492. It lasted for several centuries, marked by various battles and political maneuvers, ultimately leading to the complete expulsion of Muslims from Spain.

Treaty of Tordesillas

An agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two nations along a meridian.

Agricultural Revolution

A significant period of change in human history characterized by the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities, leading to the domestication of plants and animals. It marked the beginning of agriculture, which enabled population growth and the rise of civilizations.

Mali

A historical empire in West Africa known for its wealth, trade, and culture, especially during the reign of Mansa Musa in the 14th century. The Mali Empire was a prominent empire in West Africa, flourishing from the 13th to 16th centuries, known for its significant contribution to trade, education, and culture, especially under Mansa Musa's leadership.

Mansa Musa

The ninth emperor of the Mali Empire, known for his immense wealth, extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca, and contributions to education and culture, particularly in Timbuktu. His reign is marked by the expansion of trade routes and significant advancements in Islamic scholarship.

Timbuktu

A historical city in Mali, renowned for its role as a center of trade, culture, and Islamic scholarship during the Mali Empire, particularly under Mansa Musa. It became a significant hub for learning and commerce, attracting scholars and traders from around the world.

Sankore University

A famous center of learning in Timbuktu, established during the Mali Empire. It was known for its scholars, libraries, and contributions to education in Islamic studies. The university attracted students from across the Islamic world, offering a curriculum that included theology, mathematics, and astronomy.

Iroquois

A confederation of Native American tribes in northeastern North America, known for their political organization and influence in colonial America. Their system of governance, the Great Law of Peace, served as a model for democratic principles. They played a significant role in the fur trade and maintained diplomatic relations with European powers.

Algonquian

A group of Native American tribes that lived in the northeastern United States and parts of Canada, sharing similar languages and cultural traits. They interacted with European settlers and played a significant role in early American history. Their communities consisted of semi-nomadic hunters and gatherers, known for agricultural practices and trade networks.

usufruct

A legal right allowing individuals to use and benefit from someone else's property, provided they do not harm or diminish it. This right often applies to land or resources, allowing the usufructuary to harvest or derive profit from the property without owning it.

Manitou

A spiritual force or deity in Algonquian belief systems, often associated with nature and the environment. Manitou represents the interconnectedness of all living things and plays a central role in the creation and maintenance of the world. In Algonquian cultures, Manitou is the spiritual essence that manifests in various forms, influencing health, well-being, and the natural world.

Shaman

A spiritual leader or healer among Indigenous cultures, particularly in Algonquian traditions, who mediates between the physical and spiritual worlds, often serving roles in rituals, healing, and community guidance. A shaman is believed to possess special abilities to communicate with spirits, accessing knowledge and power to help the community.

femme covert

A legal doctrine in which a married woman's legal rights and obligations are subsumed by those of her husband. Under this system, a wife could not own property or enter contracts independently. This concept reflected societal norms that limited women's autonomy, often resulting in economic and legal disadvantages.

femme sole

A legal status of an unmarried woman who can own property and enter contracts independently. This term contrasts with femme covert, highlighting the autonomy of single women in legal matters. In legal terms, a femme sole refers to an unmarried woman with the legal capacity to own property and engage in contracts without restriction, contrasting with the limitations faced by a married woman under the doctrine of femme covert.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World in the 15th and 16th centuries after Columbus's voyages. This exchange significantly impacted agriculture, economies, and populations worldwide. The Columbian Exchange involved the introduction of new species and foods, such as potatoes and tomatoes to Europe, and horses and cattle to the Americas, profoundly affecting global diets and farming practices.

Small pox

An infectious disease caused by the variola virus, leading to fever, body aches, and a characteristic rash. Smallpox was historically significant and deadly, prompting widespread vaccination efforts that ultimately led to its eradication. It was transmitted from person to person and could cause severe complications, resulting in high mortality rates, especially among unvaccinated populations.

religious syncretism

The blending of different religious beliefs and practices, often resulting from cultural exchange or contact between various faiths. This phenomenon can be seen in various forms across different regions and historical contexts, where elements of multiple religions merge to form new traditions. It often occurs in response to colonization or migration, leading to unique spiritual practices and communities.

conquistadores

Spanish explorers and soldiers who played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas during the 16th century. Notable figures like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro led expeditions that resulted in the conquest of large territories and the establishment of Spanish rule. They sought gold, land, and glory, often employing brutal tactics against indigenous populations.

Don Juan de Onate

A Spanish conquistador and colonial governor in the late 16th century, known for leading the settlement of New Mexico and his controversial treatment of Native Americans. He is remembered for his harsh tactics and the Acoma Massacre, which sought to establish Spanish control over the region.

Pueblo Rebellion

A 1680 uprising of Pueblo Indians against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico, aimed at reclaiming their spiritual and cultural practices. The rebellion sought to expel Spanish settlers and restore traditional ways of life that had been suppressed by colonial rule.

Samuel de Champlain

A French explorer and navigator known as the "Father of New France." He founded Quebec City in 1608 and played a significant role in the exploration and mapping of Canada, establishing relationships with local Indigenous tribes. He is notable for his role in the French colonization of North America and his efforts to promote trade and alliances with Native Americans.

Upper country

The region in North America that encompassed areas above the Great Lakes and included parts of present-day Canada and the northern United States. It was significant for fur trade and interactions with Indigenous peoples. It played a crucial role in the expansion of European settlements and trade networks during the colonial period.

creative misunderstandings

Misinterpretations or miscommunications that arise during interactions, often leading to unexpected or innovative outcomes. These can occur in various contexts, including cultural exchanges and artistic collaborations. Creative interpretations in communication that result in novel insights or outcomes. They often emerge in contexts like art and culture.

Coureurs de bois

Independent French fur traders who ventured into North America, often interacting with Indigenous peoples. They played a vital role in the fur trade and were known for their skills in navigating the wilderness. They operated outside the formal control of the French government and established crucial trade relationships with various Indigenous tribes.

West Country men

The term refers to English adventurers and merchants from the West Country region, particularly involved in the Atlantic trade and colonization efforts during the 16th and 17th centuries. They were instrumental in establishing English settlements and trade networks in North America. They were known for their involvement in both fishing and privateering, contributing to the expansion of English influence in the New World.

Richard Hakluyt the Elder

An English writer and geographer who played a significant role in promoting the English colonization of North America in the late 16th century. He is best known for his works advocating for overseas exploration and the establishment of colonies, including his collection of narratives that highlighted the potential wealth and resources of the New World. Hakluyt encouraged English expeditions and settlements and is often considered a key figure in the early history of British colonization in America.

Richard Hakluyt the Younger

An English scholar and cleric, Richard Hakluyt the Younger was instrumental in the promotion of English exploration and colonization efforts in the Americas during the early 17th century, expanding upon his father's work. He is known for his writings that supported the establishment of colonies and the dissemination of geographic knowledge. He compiled various accounts of voyages and advocated for the colonization of America, influencing public and governmental interest in overseas expansion.

Rathlin Island

A small island off the coast of Northern Ireland, known for its historical significance and natural beauty. It served as a strategic location during various conflicts and is associated with early Irish Christian monasticism. Rathlin Island played a role in maritime history, particularly during the 17th century as a sanctuary for various political figures and pirates, contributing to its storied past.

enclosure

The historical practice of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms, often resulting in the displacement of rural populations in England during the 18th and 19th centuries. This process facilitated agricultural efficiency and led to significant social changes, including the growth of the agricultural revolution and the rise of wage labor in urban areas.