Heimler Review

• How did Europe change its position in world history during this period?

  Europeans became primary imperial powers
• Name three types of ships that were developed during this period.

  Flute, caravel, and carrick
• Why were the new ships cheaper and faster?

  They were designed strictly as merchant ships
• What is the significance of the Latin sail?

  It allowed harnessing wind from both sides
• Who originally used the Latin sail before Europeans?

  The Arabs and the Chinese
• What navigational technologies improved sailing during this period?

  Astronomical charts, astrolabe, and magnetic compass
• Why did Europeans seek a sea route to Asia?

  Muslims controlled most land-based trade routes
• Who is credited with discovering the Americas?

  Christopher Columbus
• What was the Colombian Exchange?

  A biological exchange between hemispheres
• What disease did Europeans bring to the Americas?

  Smallpox
• What was the impact of smallpox on the native population?

  50 to 90 percent of natives died
• What food items did Europeans introduce to the Americas?

  Sugar and horses
• What food items did the Americas send back to Europe?

  Potatoes, maize, and guinea pigs
• What was the Atlantic slave trade?

  Importation of enslaved Africans to the Americas
• What does "chattel slavery" mean?

  People are considered property
• Why did Europeans turn to African slaves for labor?

  Natives died from European diseases
• What was the encomienda system?

  Spanish conquistadors protected natives for labor
• What was the hacienda system?

  Large plantations established by Spanish landowners
• What was the mita system borrowed from the Incas?

  Coerced labor for public projects
• How long were indentured servants bound to work in North America?

  Seven years
• Why did the importation of Africans solve labor problems for colonists?

  Africans were property for life
• What economic system dominated Europe during this period?

  Mercantilism
• How did mercantilism view wealth?

  Wealth is fixed and limited
• What was the relationship between mercantilism and colonialism?

  Colonies provided raw materials for exports
• Who were the first to establish a trading post empire?

  The Portuguese
• What was the purpose of the joint-stock company?

  To share financial risks of exploration
• What social hierarchy was established in the Americas?

  The caste system based on ancestry and race
• Who were the peninsulares in the caste system?

  Those born in Europe
• Who were the criollos in the caste system?

  Europeans born in the Americas
• What were mestizos in the caste system?

  People of mixed European and indigenous ancestry
• What were mulattos in the caste system?

  People of mixed European and African ancestry
• What were zambos in the caste system?

  People of mixed indigenous and African ancestry
• Who were at the bottom of the caste system?

  Indigenous people and Africans
• What are the key components of the Colombian Exchange?

  • Biological exchange of animals, people, food, and diseases
  • Specific examples include:
  • Europeans brought smallpox
  • Natives sent syphilis
  • Europeans introduced sugar and horses
  • Americas sent potatoes and maize
• What are the coerced labor systems used by Europeans in the Americas?

  1. Encomienda system: Spanish protection for labor
  2. Hacienda system: Large plantations by landowners
  3. Mita system: Coerced labor for public projects
  4. Indentured servitude: Limited-term labor in North America
  5. Chattel slavery: Lifelong property status for Africans
• What are the social hierarchies established in the Americas?

  1. Caste system based on ancestry and race
  2. Peninsulares: Born in Europe
  3. Criollos: Europeans born in the Americas
  4. Mestizos: Mixed European and indigenous ancestry
  5. Mulattos: Mixed European and African ancestry
  6. Zambos: Mixed indigenous and African ancestry
  7. Indigenous people and Africans at the bottom
• What are the economic implications of mercantilism?

  • Fixed amount of wealth in the world
  • Competition for resources among European powers
  • Colonies provided raw materials for exports
  • Joint-stock companies funded exploration
• What are the three categories of causes for European expansion?

  Technological, political, and economic
• What was the first cause of European exploration?

  Adoption and innovation of Maritime technology
• How did European maritime technology change during this period?

  Europeans adopted and innovated existing technologies