European Colonization- Parm/Phillips

Maritime Empires

Empires that gained power and influence primarily through naval strength, controlling sea-based trade routes, and establishing overseas colonies. (The Spanish, Portuguese, British, Dutch).

Colony

A territory under the political and economic control of another country, often used for resources and settlement.

Hispaniola

The first island colonized by Spain in the Caribbean (modern Haiti and Dominican Republic). Located in the Caribbean

Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in Virginia in 1607. Located in North America

Aztec Empire

A powerful Mesoamerican empire in central Mexico, ruled by the Mexica and conquered by Hernán Cortés in 1521. Located in Central Mexico

Incan Empire

A vast South American empire centered in the Andes, ruled by an Andean civilization and conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1533. Located in Latin America

Cuzco

The capital city of the Incan Empire in present-day Peru. Located in Latin America

Llama

The largest beast of burden native to the Andes used for transport, wool, and food. Located in Latin America

New Spain

The Spanish colonial territory in the Americas that included Mexico, Central America, and parts of the U.S. Southwest. Located in Latin America

Tenochtitlan

The Aztec capital city built on Lake Texcoco, now Mexico City. Located in Central America

Mexico City

The capital of modern Mexico, built by the Spanish atop the ruins of Tenochtitlan. Capital of the Spanish empire in the Americas. Located in Central America

Lima

Capital of Spanish Peru, founded by Francisco Pizarro; major administrative and trade center. Located in Latin America

Guangzhou

Also known as Canton, Chinese port city where European trade was restricted under the Canton System. Located in East Asia

Nagasaki

Japanese port city opened to limited European trade by the Tokugawa shogunate. Located in East Asia

Goa

A Portuguese colony in India that served as a major Asian trading base. Located in South Asia

Seville

Spanish port city that held a monopoly on trade with the Americas during the 1500s. Located in Europe

Vera Cruz

Main Spanish port on the Gulf of Mexico for trade between New Spain and Europe. Located in Central America

Acapulco

Pacific port in New Spain where the Manila Galleons connected Asia and the Americas. Located in Central America

Amsterdam

Capital of the Dutch Republic; center of banking and trade during the Dutch Golden Age. Located in Europe

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

Agreement organized by the Pope dividing the New World between Spain (west) and Portugal (east).

Bartolomé de Las Casas

Spanish priest who advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples against mistreatment

Florentine Codex

A 16th-century book compiled by Spanish monks to record Aztec culture.

Viceroys

High-ranking royal governors who ruled Spanish or Portuguese colonies as the king's representative. Located in Latin America

Viceroyalties

The main administrative divisions of the Spanish colonies in the Americas, with each governed by a Viceroy (ex. New Spain, Peru, New Granada). Located in Latin America

Audiencias

Spanish councils of judges in colonial courts that handled legal matters, and served as the highest judicial bodies within the Viceroyalties. Located in Latin America

Haciendas

Large agricultural estates, or plantations in the Spanish American colonies that controlled large areas of land, and utilized indigenous labor. Located in Latin America

Rio de Janeiro

Major Portuguese colonial port city and later the capital of Brazil. Located in Latin America

New Amsterdam

Dutch colonial settlement that later became New York City. Located in North America

Manila

Spanish colonial capital of the Philippines; key link in trans-Pacific trade with Mexico. Located in Southeast Asia

Boers

Dutch settlers (farmers) in South Africa who established the Cape Colony. Located in Southern Africa

Cape Colony

Dutch colony at the southern tip of Africa, used as a resupply station for ships to Asia. Located in Southern Africa

Sociedad de castas

Rigid social hierarchy in Spanish America based on race and ancestry. Located in Latin America

Elites

Highest socail classes in society. Typically have access to wealth and power.

Creoles (Criollos)

People of European descent born in the Americas; often landowners but below Peninsulares. Located in Latin America

Peninsulares

Spaniards born in Spain who held top political and church positions in colonies. Located in Latin America

Mestizos

People of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. Located in Latin America

Mulattoes

People of mixed European and African ancestry. Located in Latin America

Zambos

People of mixed African and Indigenous ancestry. Located in Latin America

African Diaspora

The forced spread of African peoples through the trans-Atlantic Slave trade across the Americas and Europe. This will result in cultural influence with food, music and beliefs.

Vodun (Voodoo)

Syncretic religion combining West African beliefs with Christianity, found in the Caribbean (especially Haiti). Located in the Caribbean

Cult of Saints

Catholic practice where local people merged indigenous beliefs with devotion to Christian saints. Located in Latin America

Virgin of Guadalupe

A Roman Catholic title for the Virgin Mary, and is a syncretic religious symbol of Mexico blending Catholic and Indigenous traditions; seen as a unifying figure for Mexicans. Located in Latin America