Iberian Conquest History Quiz

Large rural estates in Spanish America that produced crops like grains, grapes, and livestock, primarily for local consumption.

A mix of Native Americans, who left their communities, and people of mixed heritage, formed the labor force of American haciendas.

The primary source of wealth and trade from the Americas to Spain in the early modern era.

Spain strictly controlled trade with the Americas, allowing only Spanish merchants and imposing restrictions on trade routes and goods.

A system implemented by Spain to protect its treasure ships from pirates and other European rivals during their voyages between Spain and America.

Small workshops in Spanish America where common cloths were produced, often by women.

Spanish American colonies became largely independent in producing basic foods and material goods.

Spanish colonies became largely independent in producing basic foods and material goods, needing only Europe for luxury items.

The Dutch were forced out of Brazil in 1654.

Dutch, English, and French established sugar plantations in the Caribbean.

Competition from new Caribbean plantations dropped sugar prices.

European powers sought colonies for plantations, slaving ports, and food production.

Explorers from São Paulo searched for gold and established Portuguese claims.

Gold discoveries in 1695 sparked a massive gold rush.

Gold output reached its highest point between 1735-1760.

Government regulation helped recover from disruption of coastal agriculture.

Gold brought settlement, affecting indigenous people and increasing slavery.

Minas Gerais had over 150,000 slaves by 1775.

A significant portion of the population in Brazil was composed of people of combined white, Indigenous, and African ancestry.

Brazil's social structure mirrored the hierarchical system of the plantations.

Portugal organized its Brazilian colony as part of its larger imperial system, akin to Spain's approach.

Brazil consisted of two administrative units: Maranhão (a northern region) and Brazil itself (the rest of the territory).

A governor-general oversaw the entire Brazilian colony but often lacked control over individual regions.

Jesuit missions had a major role in Brazil, building churches, schools, and extensive networks of settlements with Native Americans.

Unlike the almost entirely American Spanish Empire, Portugal had global reach with colonies in Asia, Africa, and Brazil.

Brazil exhibited a high degree of economic dependence on Portugal, more than Spanish American colonies on Spain.

Brazil lacked universities and printing presses, meaning its intellectual life relied heavily on Portugal.

For 60 years, Spain and Portugal were ruled by Habsburg kings, fostering cooperation and a united empire.

From 1630 to 1654, the Dutch took control of parts of Northeastern Brazil, controlling its sugar economy during the broader European conflicts.

A European conflict (1702-1713) that resulted in the Bourbon family controlling Spain, but with new trade agreements allowing France/England more access.

A series of reforms in Spain and its empire under the Bourbon kings, primarily under Charles III, to strengthen the state and economy.

Policy focused on strengthening the nation's economy through domestic control, impacting trade.

Spanish Bourbon Monarch (r. 1759–1788) who was a major player in the Bourbon Reforms.

The removal of the Jesuit order from Spain and its empire in 1767, often due to opposition to government policies.

Newly established administrative regions in the Americas created to ensure better administration and defense.

Individuals sent from Spain to the Americas to assess the situation and report on conditions.

Previous system of protecting Spanish ships transporting goods between Spain and the Americas

New ports opened for trade in the Americas to improve access and efficiency for trade.

Pombal's policies aimed to lessen England's economic control over Portugal by promoting Portuguese commerce and state intervention in the economy, like encouraging Brazilian gold and manufacturing.

Gold production in Brazil decreased after 1760, impacting Portugal's economy and prompting Pombal's further reforms.

Pombal expelled the Jesuits from the Portuguese Empire due to their allegiance to Rome and their influence on Brazilian lands.

Pombal sought to modernize Brazilian agriculture and resource extraction, including developing the Amazon, by creating monopolies to stimulate production and trade.

Pombal outlawed slavery in Portugal to secure a stable source of slaves for Brazil's growing workforce.

Despite policies, slave imports to Brazil remained high, indicating the lasting importance of slavery in the region.

Economic reforms in Portugal, aiming to reduce trade imbalances and boost Brazilian economy, but not immediately successful.

Brazilian exports struggled due to low global demand for its goods, despite Portuguese economic restructuring efforts.

American colonies' economies heavily relied on European markets and policies leading to limited independence.

Increased population in Spanish and Portuguese colonies due to declining death rates, rising birth rates, immigration, and flourishing slavery.

Economic growth in the American colonies during the last years of the 18th century, facilitated by reformist policies and increasing demand for products.

Economic reforms and tighter governmental control in Spanish America and Brazil provoked colonial resistance, including riots and revolts.

A colonial uprising in New Granada (Colombia) in 1781, in response to government control of goods, rising prices, and taxation.

A significant revolt in Peru during the 18th century that was even more serious than the Comunero Revolt in its threat level.