Key terms for Age of Exploration

vocab for sst

Missionary

A person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote christianity in a foreign country.

Circumnavigte

Sail or travel all the way around (something, especially the world).

Caravel

A small fast ship developed in the 15th century, used by the Spanish and Portuguese for exploration.

Cartography

The art, science and technology of making maps.

Conquistador

Spanish explorers and soldiers who conquered land in the Americas during the Age of Exploration.

Colonization

The process of establishing control over a foreign territory and settling it with colonists, often exploiting resources and native populations.

Bullion

Precious metals like gold and silver, often used as currency or for trade during the Age of Exploration.

Immunity

A resistance or protection against diseases, allowing some individuals to survive epidemics that decimated native populations.

Quipu

An ancient Incan device made of colored threads and knots used for record-keeping and communication.

Columbian exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World (Europe, Asia and Africa).

Mercantilism

Belief in the benefits of profitable trading.

Capitalism

An economic system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.

Cottage industry

A business or manufactoring activity carried on in people’s homes.

Traditional economy

Economies in which traditions and customs are more important than money.

Market economy

Market economisers are defined by competition and free trade, and important note is that there is minimal government interference.