Unit 4 Foreign Policy - Vocabulary

Mission System

A network of Spanish settlements where priests converted Native Americans to Christianity and made them work for the colony

Encomienda System

Spanish colonial system where settlers were granted control over Native American labor in exchange for converting them to Christianity and providing protection— harsh conditions of indigenous people

Repartimiento System

Replaced the Encomienda system; required Native Americans to work for a certain number of weeks/months each year (mines/farms) in exchange for pay— harsh conditions

Caste System (peninsulares, criollos, mestizos, mulatos, Native Americans, enslaved africans)

Social hierarchy based on race and birthplace

Peninsulares: Spaniards born in Spain, top positions

Criollos: Spaniards born in the Americas, wealthy but less power

Mestizos: Mixed Spanish/Native American ancestry

Mulatos: Mixed Spanish/African ancestry

Native Americans: Forced into labor and conversion

Enslaved Africans: Lowest class, forced into slavery

Metacom’s War (King Phillip’s War) 1675-1676

Violent conflict between New England colonists and Native American tribes, led by Metacom (King Philip), over land an colonial expansion. Natives = defeated, English = Increased control

Pueblo Revolt (Po’Pay’s rebellion) 1680

an uprising of Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico, aimed at reclaiming their land and religious practices.

Neutrality

the policy of not taking sides in conflicts or wars, often used by countries to maintain peace and avoid involvement in foreign disputes.

Isolationism

Policy of avoiding political or military involvement with other countries

Expansionism

Policy of growing a nation’s territory or influence through diplomacy, military force, or economic means

Preemption

Policy of taking action before a threat occurs, often used to justify land claims or military strikes. Also referred to settlers’ right to buy land before it was offered to others

Powhatan Wars (1611-1646)

Conflicts between Virginia colonists and the Powhatan Confederacy over land and control, ending in Native defeat

Pequot War (1636-37)

Conflict in New England between the Pequot tribe and English settlers, resulting in the near destruction of the Pequot people

Appalachian Mountains

Mountain range in North America that served as a natural barrier to westward expansion in colonial America

Proclamation of 1763

British law that banned colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflicts with Native Americans

Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-1766)

Native American uprising led by Chief Pontiac against British rule in the Great Lakes region, sparked by colonial expansion and harsh policies

George Washington’s Farewell Address

Warned against political parties and foreign alliances

Jay’s Treaty

Agreement with Britain to resolve post-Revolution tensions but angered France

Impressment

British practice of forcing American sailors into their navy, leading to tensions

XYZ Affair

French diplomats demanded bribes from the U.S, worsening relations

Embargo Act, 1807

Banned U.S trade with foreign nations, hurting the economy

War of 1812

War between the U.S and Britain over trade, impressment, and expansion

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the U.S was destined to expand westward

Annexation of Texas, 1845

U.S added Texas, worsening tensions with Mexico

Mexican-American War, 1846-48

War over Texas and land disputes, ending in U.S victory

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848

Ended the Mexican-American War; U.S gained Southwest territory

Independent Sovereign Nation

A country with full control over its government and laws

Domestic Dependent Nation

Term for Native American tribes, under U.S authority by self-governing

Indian Removal Act, 1830

Law forcing Native Americans west of the Mississippi River

Trail of Tears

Forced relocation of Native Americans, causing thousands of deaths

Indian Appropriations Act, 1851

Created reservations to confine Native Americans

Indian Appropriations Bill, 1871

Ended recognition of Native American tribes as independent nations

Ghost Dance

Native American spiritual movement to resist U.S control

Battle of Little BigHorn, 1876

Sioux and Cheyenne warriors defeated U.S troops (Custer’s Last Stand)

Dawes Act, 1887

Divided tribal land into individual plots to assimilate Native Americans

Wounded Knee Massacre, 1890

U.S Army’s killing of around 300 Lakota Sioux, marking the end of Native resistance

Indian Boarding Schools

Schools that forced Native children to adopt white culture

Indian Citizenship Act, 1924

Granted U.S citizenship to all Native Americans

Monroe Doctrine

Warned European powers to stay out of the Americans

Imperialism

Expanding a nations power through diplomacy or military force

Spanish-American War

War between the U.S and Spain; U.S gained overseas territories

Senator Albert Beveridge

Supported U.S imperialism and expansion

William Jennings Bryan

Anti-imperialist, opposed the gold standard, ran for president three times