Words to Know
A written record, or journal, of a voyage.
What is a log?
Italian explorer, navigator, and cartographer who realized the "West Indies" was not actually Asia, but rather uncharted territory. For his realization, the lands of the "New World" were named in his honor.
Who is Amerigo Vespucci?
Left Spain on August 3, 1492 and mistakenly, but bravely, found a whole "New World."
Who is Christopher Columbus?
The present-day islands that Columbus explored.
What are the Bahama Islands, San Salvador, Cuba, and Hispaniola?
Multilingual native who helped translate for the Spanish. Eventually gave birth to Cortes' son, who was believed to be the first child born of a Spanish and Native (of present-day Mexico), and thus became known as the "Mother of Mexican Civilization"
Who is Dona Marina -or- (La) Malinche?
Forced payment, usually made in the form of valuable goods. Conquered people within the Aztec Empire were tired of paying these taxes and began to rebel.
What is a tribute?
Emperor of the Aztecs who believed that Cortes was a god.
Who is Moctezuma (Montezuma) II
A barter or swap of products/goods between Europe and the Americas. Included horses, cattle, and sheep being traded for turkeys, corn, and potatoes. Begun when Columbus landed in the Americas.
What is the Columbian Exchange?
The capital city of the Aztecs, and the city that now sits there.
What is Tenochtitlan?...and present day Mexico City
Prompted by rumors overheard by African scout Estevanico and priest Fray Marcos de Niza, when they were shipwrecked off the coast of Texas, this conquistador sought to find "The Seven Cities of Gold," throughout the southwest US.
Who is Francisco Coronado?
A large area of land that included Indian villages where natives labored and the colonists housed, fed, and taught them new skills. A system similar to slavery, but with differences.
What is an Encomienda?
Led Spanish explorers into South America and defeated the Inca.
Who is Francisco Pizarro?
The Royals and Country who chartered Columbus's voyage to the "Indies."
Who are King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain?
The area that the Mayans predominantly lived in.
What is the Yucatan peninsula?
Spanish conquerors.
What is a Conquistador?
A settlement far away from the country that rules it.
What is a colony?
"I don't want land...I came for gold." Spanish explorer who was sent from Cuba to explore present-day Mexico where he, with the aid and prompting of other tribes, took down the mighty Aztec Empire.
Who is Hernando Cortes?
The very first vessels which voyaged to the New World.
What are the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria?
A Portuguese sea captain who sought to find a new path to the Indies by sailing around South America and across the Pacific Ocean. Though killed in the Philippines, his crew continued the trek to be the first to circumnavigate the world. A channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, between the mainland tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego island, is named for him.
Who is Ferdinand Magellan?
The "Protector of the Indians." A Catholic priest who defended Indian rights. Devoted his life to ending encomiendas. Due to his efforts a Spanish law was passed in 1542 that helped Indians get paid.
Who is Bartolome' de las Casas?
A person who teaches his or her religion to other people.
What is a Missionary?
Leader of the Inca.
Who is Atahuapa?
The largest of the Arawak group living on the Caribbean islands, and the people who first encountered Columbus on October 12, 1492.
We borrowed words such as "canoe" and "hammock" from their culture.Who are the Taino people?
The capital city of the Inca.
What is Cuzco?
An escaped African slave whom the Spanish government couldn't track down. He, along with about 80 others, built a town called San Lorenzo de los Negros.
Who is Yanga?