USI.4 Terms and Causes: Age of Exploration

Columbian Exchange This is the name given to a huge exchange of plants, animals, foods, humans, diseases, languages, and ideas between the New World and the Old World.

conquistador A Spanish word for a person who conquers others by using force to take whatever he wants.

astrolabe an instrument used by the ancient Greeks and medieval Arabs to determine the position of heavenly bodies that helped sailors figure out their ship’s location at sea.

The guiding of a ship from place to place navigation The guiding of a ship from place to place

A disease that causes a high death rate, affects many people. plague A disease that causes a high death rate, affects many people.

Black Death A terrible plague that struck the European continent in the mid-14th century and wiped out a third of the population.

An exchange of ideas or products. interaction An exchange of ideas or products.

Age of Exploration or Discovery A period that started in the early 15th century and continuing to the 17th century. During this period Europeans explored Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

Christianity The most popular religion in Europe. The American Indians had never heard of it, and it was very different from American Indian beliefs.

A land trade route that went from Europe to Asia (China) Silk Road A land trade route that went from Europe to Asia (China)

To give or receive from one another exchange To give or receive from one another

New World This is the western hemisphere, consisting of the Americas. It was called this because the land had been unknown by the Europe prior to the discovery by Christopher Columbus.

the Eastern Hemisphere, especially Europe or European culture. Old World the Eastern Hemisphere, especially Europe or European culture.

A disease that causes skin blisters and high fevers. pox A disease that causes skin blisters and high fevers.

Three Reasons for Exploration Economics Religion Power