New World Beginnings (33,000 b.c.e.–1769 c.e.)

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary, terms, and definitions related to the history of the New World from 33,000 b.c.e to 1769 c.e.

Bering Strait

A land bridge between Siberia and Alaska that early humans crossed to migrate to North America.

Cahokia

A major Mississippian settlement located at the confluence of rivers in present-day Illinois.

Three-sister farming

An agricultural system involving the planting of maize, beans, and squash together.

Iroquois Confederacy

A political alliance of five, later six, Native American tribes in the northeastern U.S.

Vinland

The name given by Norse explorers to the area of northeastern North America where they settled.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World.

Encomienda

A system that allowed Spanish colonists to demand labor from Native Americans in exchange for protection and conversion to Christianity.

Mestizos

People of mixed Native American and European ancestry.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A treaty between Spain and Portugal that divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe.

Sugar revolution

The dramatic increase in the importation of sugar and the establishment of sugar plantations in the New World.

Noche triste

The 'sad night' in 1520 when the Aztecs attacked Hernán Cortés’s forces.

Maize

A fundamental crop for Native American cultures, known as corn.

Christian crusaders

European religious warriors whose expeditions heightened demand for Eastern luxuries.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire.

Francisco Pizarro

Conquistador known for conquering the Inca Empire in Peru.

Marco Polo

An explorer whose travels to Asia inspired European interest in East.

Pueblo peoples

Native American people known for their terraced, multistoried adobe buildings.

Spanish Mission System

Aimed to convert Native Americans to Christianity and integrate them into Spanish colonial society.

Popé’s Rebellion

A revolt by Pueblo Indians in 1680 against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico.

John Cabot

An Italian explorer who sailed under an English flag, credited with the discovery of parts of North America.

Giovanni da Verrazano

An Italian explorer known for exploring the eastern coast of North America.

Jacques Cartier

A French explorer who claimed Canada for France.

Treaty of Paris

A document that ended the Spanish-American War and ceded territories to the U.S.

Conquistadores

Spanish conquerors who explored and claimed lands in the Americas.

Spanish colonization

The establishment of Spanish settlements and missions in the New World.

New World

Term referring to the Americas after their discovery by Europeans.

Old World

Term used to refer to Europe, Asia, and Africa before the discovery of the Americas.

Aztec Empire

A major civilization in present-day Mexico known for its advanced culture and society.

Inca Empire

The largest empire in pre-Columbian America, located in present-day Peru.

Trade Routes

Paths followed by traders to exchange goods and services.

Land Bridge Theory

The hypothesis that the first Americans migrated from Asia across a land bridge.

Cascades

A mountain range that includes several peaks in the Pacific Northwest.

Rocky Mountains

A major mountain range in western North America.

Sierra Nevada

A mountain range located in California, known for its stunning natural beauty.

Canadian Shield

A large area of exposed Precambrian rock that forms the ancient geological core of North America.

Mound Builders

Native American cultures known for building large earthen mounds for various purposes.

Native American agriculture

Farming practices established by indigenous peoples in the Americas.

Aboriginal

Referring to the first inhabitants of a region; often used in the context of indigenous peoples.

Iroquois

A group of Native American tribes known for their longhouses and democratic governing structure.

Diversity of Native American Cultures

The wide range of languages, customs, and lifestyles among Native American tribes.

Agricultural Revolution

The shift from hunting-gathering to farming as a dominant mode of subsistence.

Horses

Introduced by Europeans, changed the lifestyle of many Native American tribes.

Conquest

The act of conquering a territory or people, often through military force.

Diseases of the Old World

Illnesses brought by Europeans that devastated Native American populations.

Colonial Empire

The territories and nations controlled by a specific colonial power.

Historical narratives

Accounts or interpretations of past events.

Viking exploration

Norse travels that reached parts of North America well before Columbus.

Economics of colonization

The economic systems and policies established by colonial powers.

Missionaries

Individuals sent to promote religion and convert indigenous people.

Culture of expansion

A focus on acquiring new territories for settlement and resource exploitation.

Iberian Union

The period during which Spain and Portugal were ruled by the same monarch.

Colonial rivalry

Conflicts between European powers for dominance in the New World.

Geopolitical interests

Considerations related to politics, especially international relations, in the context of geography.

European imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization.

Slavery

The state of being a slave; forced labor under the control of another.

Natives' social structures

The organization of communities among indigenous peoples.

Crops and livestock

Plants cultivated and animals raised as part of agricultural systems.

Spanish Abuses

Mistreatment of Native Americans by Spanish colonizers.

Exploration motives

The reasons driving explorers to search for new lands.

Cultural exchange

The sharing of ideas, products, and cultural practices between societies.

Conquistador tactics

Strategies used by Spanish conquerors to defeat indigenous populations.

Colonial administration

The governing system established for managing colonies.

Geographic knowledge

Understanding of landforms, locations, and resources across regions.

Colonization impacts

Effects of establishing colonies on both colonizers and indigenous populations.

Ferdinand and Isabella

Spanish monarchs who sponsored Columbus's voyage.

Impact of Columbus

The far-reaching effects of Columbus's voyages on the Americas and Europe.

Indigenous knowledge systems

Understanding and practices developed by Native American tribes over generations.

Political structures

Forms of governance within societies and nations.

European disease spread

How viruses and illnesses were transferred to Native Americans.

Plantation economy

An economic system focused on large-scale agricultural production.

Military encounters

Conflicts between indigenous peoples and European settlers.

Imperial justifications

Rationale for European colonial expansion.

Cultural assimilation

The process by which one culture adopts the practices of another.

Survival strategies

Methods used by indigenous peoples to endure and thrive.

Demographics

Statistical data relating to the population.

Exploratory expeditions

Journeys for the purpose of exploration and discovery.

Spanish legacy

Cultural, economic, and political influences left behind by Spanish colonization.

Cultural innovation

Advancements and new ideas originating from different cultures.

Historical context

The circumstances and factors surrounding a specific event in history.

Cultural resilience

The ability of cultures to maintain their identity despite external pressures.

Intermarriage

The practice of marrying someone from another cultural or ethnic group.

Social hierarchy

Organization of society into levels based on status or power.

Rainfall patterns

Variations in precipitation that affect agriculture.

Natural resources

Materials found in nature that are valuable to humans.

Ecosystem significance

The importance of natural environments to social and economic systems.

Ecological consequences

Effects of human activity on natural environments.

Economic systems

The means by which goods and services are produced and distributed.

Decentralized governance

A system of governance where power is distributed among various local authorities.

Global trade networks

Systems for exchanging goods across international boundaries.

Religious motivations

Factors related to the desire for religious expansion and conversion.

Colonial narratives

Stories or accounts that explain and justify colonial actions.

Cultural heritage

Traditions, customs, and practices passed down through generations.

Trade relationships

Connections established through the exchange of goods and services.

Geographical discoveries

Findings related to new regions and territories.

Cultural diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and activities from one group to another.

Archaeological evidence

Artifacts and structures used to understand past human activity.

Colonial charters

Documents granting authority to establish a colony.

Imperial ambitions

Goals pursued by countries to expand their territories.

Social stratification

A system by which a society ranks categories of people.

Indigenous sovereignty

The right of indigenous nations to govern themselves.