HIST Word List

I. Exploration & Early America

  • Leif Ericson: Norse explorer, reached North America (Vinland) around 1000 AD.

  • Christian Crusaders: Religious wars that exposed Europeans to Eastern goods, sparking a desire for trade routes.

  • Marco Polo: Traveled to China, his writings fueled European interest in the East.

  • Printing Press: Revolutionized communication, spreading knowledge and new ideas (including about exploration).

  • Renaissance: Period of renewed interest in art, science, and exploration.

  • Nation-State: Centralized kingdoms with the resources to fund exploration and colonization.

  • Portugal: Early leader in exploration (Prince Henry the Navigator, Diaz, Vasco da Gama).

  • King John I (Portugal): (You likely mean King John II) Supported exploration.

  • Prince Henry the Navigator: Established a navigation school in Portugal.

  • Bartholomew Diaz: Rounded the southern tip of Africa.

  • Vasco da Gama: Sailed to India, establishing a sea route.

  • Christopher Columbus: Sailed west for Spain, "discovered" the Americas (1492).

  • Ferdinand & Isabella: Spanish monarchs who funded Columbus.

  • Ferdinand Magellan: Led the first circumnavigation of the globe.

  • Hernán Cortés: Conquered the Aztec Empire.

  • Quetzalcoatl: Aztec deity, whose return was anticipated by some.

  • Montezuma: Aztec emperor, conquered by Cortés.

  • Francisco Pizarro: Conquered the Inca Empire.

  • Atahualpa: Inca emperor, captured and executed by Pizarro.

  • Vasco Núñez de Balboa: Crossed the Isthmus of Panama, "discovered" the Pacific Ocean.

  • Juan Ponce de León: Searched for the Fountain of Youth, explored Florida.

  • Francisco Coronado: Explored the Southwest, searching for gold.

  • Hernando de Soto: Explored the Southeast, discovered the Mississippi River.

  • Conquistadors: Spanish conquerors.

  • Mestizos: People of mixed European and Native American descent.

  • North American Tribes: Diverse cultures and languages, some advanced civilizations.

  • European Diseases: Devastating impact on Native American populations (smallpox, measles, etc.).

II. Colonial America

  • Martin Luther: Initiated the Protestant Reformation.

  • Quebec: First permanent French settlement in North America.

  • Marquette & Joliet: French explorers, explored the Mississippi River.

  • La Salle: French explorer, claimed Louisiana for France.

  • New Orleans: Founded as a French fort.

  • Queen Elizabeth I: English monarch, supported exploration and challenged Spain.

  • Francis Drake: English sea dog, raided Spanish ships.

  • Humphrey Gilbert: Unsuccessful English colonizer (Newfoundland).

  • Walter Raleigh: Unsuccessful English colonizer (Roanoke).

  • King Philip II: Spanish king, sent the Armada against England.

  • King James I: English king, granted charters for Jamestown and Plymouth.

  • Jamestown, VA: First permanent English settlement (1607).

  • John Rolfe: Developed tobacco as a cash crop in Jamestown.

  • Virginia Company: Joint-stock company that founded Jamestown.

  • Lord Baltimore: Founded Maryland as a haven for Catholics.

  • Indentured Servants: Laborers who worked for a set period in exchange for passage to the Americas.

  • King Charles I: English king, his conflicts with Parliament led to the English Civil War.

  • King Charles II: English king, restored to the throne after the English Civil War.

  • Slavery: Became a major institution in the Southern colonies.

  • Puritan Revolution: English Civil War, led to the execution of Charles I.

  • James Oglethorpe: Founded Georgia.

  • William Penn: Founded Pennsylvania.

  • Anne Hutchinson: Religious dissenter, banished from Massachusetts Bay.

  • Roger Williams: Founded Rhode Island, advocating for religious freedom.

  • John Winthrop: Governor of Massachusetts Bay.

  • Mercantilism: Economic system where colonies benefited the mother country.

  • Navigation Acts: British laws regulating colonial trade.

  • Glorious Revolution: Bloodless revolution in England, increased colonial self-government.

  • The Old South: Region characterized by plantations and slavery.

  • The Great Awakening: Religious revival.

  • King William's War: Colonial war between England and France.

  • War of Spanish Succession (Queen Anne's War): Colonial war.

  • French and Indian War: (Seven Years' War) Conflict between Britain and France for control of North America.