Topic 12 -- Exploration and Colonization

Christopher Columbus: An Italian explorer who discovered the Americas in 1492. He discovered Cuba, the Bahamas, and Hispaniola. He went on this journey with the ships the Pinta, Nina, and Saint Maria.

Slave Trade/plantations: Slaves were originally Europeans, but in the Triangular trade the slaves became Africans. Over 275,000 slaves were traded. The demand for slaves became so high because of the discovery of the Americas. 

Middle Passage: Growth of the slave trade. In 300 years, over 10 million slaves were brought from Africa to the Americas. This was considered the Middle Passage. 

Triangular Trade: A trade between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. European goods went to Africa, African slaves went to the Americas, and raw materials from the Americas went to Europe. 

Nation’s goals and settlements: 

French and English Colonies: French colonies were called Ports, and English colonies were established colonies. 

Mercantilism: The economic system during the Age of Exploration. 

Treaty of Tordesillas: A treaty signed in 1494, preventing any disagreement between Portugal and Spain over land claims. Spain owned land left to the line of the Line of Demarcation, and Portugal got the land on the right.