Commercial Revolution and Colonial America Quiz

A system that allowed investors to finance trade by purchasing shares in companies like the East India Company, increasing trade in Asia.

A shift to an economy based on trade, using gold and silver as currency.

People born in the Americas with Spanish heritage, who held political power in New Spain and later sought independence from Spain.

A 1675 war between English colonists and Native Americans in New England. Many colonists were killed and 12 towns were destroyed, ending with the Wampanoag people losing to the English.

A violent takeover of the English throne by William of Orange in 1688, leading to the strengthening of Parliament and the exclusion of Catholics from ruling England.

The idea that a country's wealth was measured by the amount of gold and silver it owned.

A type of triangular sail used by Arab sailors in the Indian Ocean, allowing ships to catch wind from either side.

A system of economic policy where a country aims to maximize its wealth by exporting more goods than it imports, often controlled by the government.

The process of European nations expanding their influence and control over territories and resources through exploration and colonization.

The spread of Islamic beliefs and practices through trade and conquest, especially in North and East Africa, influencing culture and development.

The use of gunpowder, originally from China, by European powers to expand their conquests and influence, also empowering pirates and privateers.

The blending of European and global navigational techniques, spurred by competition and innovation, leading to increased exploration and trade.

The long-term effects of European exploration, including the rise of global trade, the spread of Christianity, and the influence of gunpowder on warfare.

The Spanish crown established a system of viceroys who acted as administrators and representatives, and audiences, royal courts where Spanish settlers could appeal decisions, to govern New Spain.

Due to the vast distance and slow communication methods, it was difficult for the Spanish crown to exercise direct control over New Spain.

Many native books were destroyed by the conquistadors, leaving few original accounts of the Aztec empire.

Spanish and Portuguese languages are a significant remnant of the cultural interaction between Europe and Latin America.

The combination of different religious beliefs and practices, like African religions with Roman Catholicism, resulted in syncretic belief systems.

Santeria, Vodun, and Candomble are examples of syncretic religions that blended African traditions with Catholicism.

The African American church is a hybrid of Christianity and African spiritual traditions that remains a prominent institution.

The arrival of enslaved Africans in the Americas introduced Islam as a significant religious presence.

Merchants and artisans formed the middle class in the Ottoman Empire.

Peasants had to pay taxes and tribute to support the Ottoman Empire's military, leading to their poverty.

The Barbary Pirates were notorious for raiding European ships and capturing people for slavery.

The Manchu people ruled over China during the Qing dynasty.

The Manchu were similar to the Mongols in that they were a distinct ethnic group ruling over a different population and placed their own people in positions of power.

The Qing dynasty maintained the traditional Chinese civil service exams and bureaucracy, keeping some continuity in governance.

The Han Chinese experienced the most severe intolerance under the Qing rule, as they were seen as outsiders.

The Qing dynasty required all Han men to shave their heads and wear a braided pigtail, known as a queue, as a symbol of loyalty to the Manchu rule.

A system of government where the ruler has absolute power, controlling all aspects of the state.

French officials who oversaw the collection of taxes for the royal government.

King of France from 1643 to 1715 who believed in the divine right of kings and ruled as an absolute monarch.

The noble landowning class in Russia, holding great power and influence.

Peasants tied to the land, obligated to work for their lord in exchange for protection.

A period of great political instability in Russia after the death of Ivan IV.

A group of elite soldiers in the Ottoman army, known for their military prowess and loyalty to the sultan.

Landholding aristocratic families in Japan who often fought among themselves for power.

The Ming Dynasty used methods to eliminate Mongol influence and reestablish Chinese traditions. They reintroduced the civil service exam, created a national school system, and rebuilt a strong bureaucracy.

The daimyo, powerful landholding aristocrats, contributed to the decentralization of Japan by maintaining their own armies and territories, making the country fragmented instead of centralized.

The samurai, who were paid in rice and later gold, gained significant economic power due to their salaries, which allowed them to amass wealth.

Oda Nobunaga, a powerful daimyo, unified one-third of modern Japan by conquering Kyoto and forcing other daimyo to submit to his rule. He expanded his influence and power rapidly.

The Tokugawa Shogunate reorganized the government of Japan by dividing the country into 250 hans (territories) controlled by daimyo with their own armies and independence.

The Tokugawa Shogunate controlled the daimyo by requiring them to maintain residences both in their territories and the capital, and by keeping their families hostage in the capital while they were away.

Akbar, a Mughal emperor, established an efficient government in India by granting his people the right to appeal directly to him for justice and by enforcing laws fairly.

The Zamindars, landowning elite, eventually contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire by retaining a larger share of the taxes they collected, weakening the empire's financial resources.