APush unit 1

maize

Influential crop in Native agriculture, fed large populations, and accounted for the size and sophistication of Indian civilizations in Mexico and South America; also known as corn

Cahokia

Located near present-day St. Louis, it was the most sophisticated Native American civilization in what is now the United States; it expanded over 2000 acres and featured mounds built for protection

three-sister farming

Native American agricultural method that included growing beans, maize, and squash together which was more effective that planting them separately

Portuguese exploration

Because of navigation technology and the development of the caravel, they were the first Europeans to travel down the coast and round the Cape of Good Hope in finding a water route to Asia; ex. Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama

Ferdinand and Isabella

Spanish monarchs at the height of their power after defeating the Moors; wanted to compete economically with other European powers; sent Columbus and other conquistadors to the new world for land claims and gold

Christopher Columbus

Received financial support from Isabella and Ferdinand to search for a western route to Asia; landed in the Bahamas believing he was in the East Indies so he erroneously called the natives "indians"; historians have debated whether he was a hero or a self-promoter that just exploited an opportunity

Treaty of Tordesillas

Moved line of demarcation established by the Pope a little to the west; split the New World to prevent conflict and established Portugal's claim to Brazil

Columbian Exchange

the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, disease, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World; initiated by the Columbus expeditions to the New World; this transfer of goods arguably changed the world more than any other

triangle trade

Trade route between Europe, Africa and the Americas that resulted in the exchange of slaves, sugar, tobacco, textiles, and rum

conquistadors

Spanish explorers & conquerors with a reputation of hostility towards the native Americans (examples: Columbus, Cortes, Pizarro, Coronado, de Soto)

Hernan Cortes

Spanish conquistador that conquered Aztecs in Mexico

Montezuma

Powerful emperor of the Aztecs; helped establish an impressive empire in Tenochtitlan

encomienda system

The Spanish government gave land grants and natives to individual Spaniards; the natives worked in a system of labor for the Spanish in exchange for protection and converting to Christianity

Pueblo Revolt

A violent attack against the Spanish in the North American southwest led by Native American leader Pope'; in response to the encomienda system; was considered to be successful in that it resulted in less harsh treatment

caste system

A racial status system that was put in place by the Spanish to claim superiority by placing those with the most Spanish blood at the top