Historical Concepts and Terms

Chinampas

• A method of ancient Mesoamerican agriculture which used small, rectangular areas of fertile arable land to grow crops on the shallow lake beds in the Valley of Mexico.

• A type of ancient Mesoamerican pottery used for ceremonial purposes.

• A traditional Mesoamerican dance performed during harvest festivals.

• An ancient Mesoamerican city known for its pyramids and temples.

Quipu

• A type of ancient Inca pottery

• An ancient Inca device for recording information, consisting of variously colored threads knotted in different ways.

• A traditional Inca musical instrument

• A method of Inca agriculture involving terrace farming

Printing Press

• A machine for printing text or pictures from type or plates, invented in the Holy Roman Empire by the German Johannes Gutenberg around 1440.

• A device used for creating engravings and etchings in the 18th century.

• A tool for manually copying texts by hand in the medieval period.

• An early form of digital printing technology developed in the 20th century.

Effects of European Exploration

• Included the exchange of goods and ideas, colonization, and the spread of diseases.

• Led to the immediate end of all indigenous cultures.

• Resulted in the unification of all European nations under one government.

• Caused a significant decrease in global trade.

Terrace Farming

• A type of farming that consists of different 'steps' or terraces developed in various places around the world like the Inca Empire in South America and China

• A method of farming that uses large machinery to cultivate flat land

• A traditional farming technique that involves planting crops in rows on flat land

• A type of farming that relies solely on irrigation from rivers and lakes

Caravel

• A small, fast Spanish or Portuguese sailing ship of the 15th–17th centuries.

• A type of large cargo ship used in the 18th century.

• A fishing vessel used in the Mediterranean Sea.

• A naval warship from the 19th century.

Atlantic Slave Trade

• The trade of enslaved people across the Pacific Ocean from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

• The transatlantic slave trade that took place across the Atlantic Ocean from the 16th to the 19th centuries, involving the transportation of enslaved African people mainly to the Americas.

• The trade of enslaved people within Africa during the 17th century.

• The movement of free laborers from Europe to the Americas during the 16th century.

Motives of European Exploration

• To find new trade routes, spread Christianity, and gain wealth and glory.

• To establish colonies for agricultural purposes.

• To promote scientific research and technological advancements.

• To create alliances with indigenous tribes for mutual benefit.

Astrolabe

• A modern device used for GPS navigation.

• An ancient instrument used by astronomers and navigators to measure the altitude above the horizon of a celestial body, day or night.

• A tool for measuring temperature in astronomy.

• A type of telescope used for observing distant stars.

Conquistador

• A term used to refer to the soldiers and explorers of the Spanish Empire or the Portuguese Empire in a general sense.

• A type of traditional Spanish dance.

• A famous Spanish dish made with rice and seafood.

• A title given to the rulers of ancient Spain.