History The Age Of Colonization Study Cards

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Age of Exploration

A period of time from the 15th to the 17th century when European explorers sailed the seas in search of new trade routes, resources, and knowledge.

Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for widespread European exploration and the eventual colonization of the Americas.

Vasco da Gama

Portuguese explorer who was the first European to reach India by sea, establishing a direct trade route between Europe and Asia.

Spanish Conquistadors

Spanish soldiers and explorers who conquered and colonized vast territories in the Americas, bringing wealth and power to Spain.

Triangular Trade

A system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, involving the exchange of goods, slaves, and resources.

Mercantilism

An economic theory and practice that promoted government regulation of trade and the accumulation of wealth through exports and colonies.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas, Europe, and Africa following Christopher Columbus' voyages.

British East India Company

A British trading company that gained control over large parts of India and played a key role in the colonization and exploitation of the region.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A 1494 agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between them, establishing their respective spheres of influence.

Encomienda System

A labor system in Spanish America where the Spanish crown granted a person a specified number of indigenous people to work for them in exchange for their protection and Christianization.

Atlantic Slave Trade

The transportation of enslaved African people from Africa to the Americas as part of the triangular trade system, resulting in the forced labor and exploitation of millions.

Dutch East India Company

A Dutch trading company that established and maintained a monopoly over trade between Europe and Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.

Plantation Economy

An economic system based on large-scale agricultural production, particularly of cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, using slave labor.

Colonial Resistance Movements

Various movements and uprisings by indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans against colonial rule and exploitation.

Seven Years' War

A global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763, involving major European powers and their colonies, which resulted in significant territorial changes and shifted the balance of power.

British Raj

The period of British rule in the Indian subcontinent from 1858 to 1947, during which the British East India Company's control was transferred to the British Crown.

Opium Wars

Two conflicts between China and Western powers, primarily Britain, over the Chinese government's efforts to suppress the opium trade, resulting in China's defeat and the expansion of Western influence.

Scramble for Africa

The late 19th-century rush by European powers to colonize and control territories in Africa, leading to the partitioning of the continent and the exploitation of its resources.

Sepoy Rebellion

A major uprising against British rule in India in 1857-1858 by Indian soldiers in the British East India Company's army, resulting in the transfer of power to the British Crown.

Berlin Conference

A meeting held in 1884-1885 in Berlin, where European powers divided Africa among themselves and established the rules for future colonization and exploitation of the continent.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-imperialist uprising in China from 1899 to 1901, led by a secret society called the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, aimed at expelling foreign influence from the country.

Boer Wars

Two conflicts fought between the British Empire and the Boers (Dutch settlers) in South Africa, resulting in British victory and the establishment of British control over the region.

Meiji Restoration

A period of major political, economic, and social reforms in Japan from 1868 to 1912, during which the country modernized and transformed into a world power.

Spanish-American War

A conflict fought between Spain and the United States in 1898, resulting in the United States gaining control over territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Panama Canal

A man-made waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitating international trade and transportation.

Indian National Congress

A political party and nationalist movement in India, founded in 1885, that played a key role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule.

Scramble for Asia

The late 19th-century rush by European powers, particularly Britain, France, and Germany, to establish colonies and spheres of influence in Asia.

Opium Trade

The trade of opium, primarily from British India, to China, which had devastating social and economic consequences for China and led to conflicts between China and Western powers.

Suez Canal

A man-made waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, providing a shortcut between Europe and Asia.

White Man's Burden

A phrase used to justify European imperialism and the belief that it was the duty of white Europeans to civilize and educate non-white peoples.

Imperialism

A policy or ideology of extending a nation's power and influence through colonization, military conquest, or economic domination of other territories.

Nationalism

A strong sense of loyalty and devotion to one's own nation or ethnic group, often accompanied by the desire for self-determination and independence.

Industrial Revolution

A period of major industrialization and technological advancements that began in Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of the world, transforming economies and societies.

World War I

A global conflict fought from 1914 to 1918, involving major powers and their colonies, resulting in significant political, social, and territorial changes.

World War II

A global conflict fought from 1939 to 1945, involving major powers and their allies, resulting in the defeat of the Axis powers and significant geopolitical changes.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies and dependent territories gained independence from their colonial rulers, often accompanied by political, social, and economic challenges.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension and ideological rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, lasting from the end of World War II to the early 1990s.

European Union

A political and economic union of European countries, aimed at promoting peace, stability, and economic cooperation among its member states.

Globalization

The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries through the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas.

Postcolonialism

An academic and intellectual movement that examines the social, cultural, and political legacies of colonialism and seeks to challenge and deconstruct colonial narratives and power structures.

Human Rights

Universal rights and freedoms that are inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or other status, as recognized by international law.

United Nations

An international organization founded in 1945, composed of member states committed to maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, and fostering cooperation.

Global Interdependence

The mutual reliance and interconnectedness of nations and peoples in the modern world, resulting from increased trade, communication, and cultural exchange.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, leading to environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Digital Revolution

A period of rapid technological advancements in digital technology, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, transforming various aspects of society and the economy.

Artificial Intelligence

The development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Cybersecurity

The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks, unauthorized access, and other cyber threats.

Space Exploration

The discovery and exploration of celestial bodies and outer space, conducted by various countries and space agencies using manned and unmanned spacecraft.

Renewable Energy

Energy derived from natural sources that are constantly replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Genetic Engineering

The manipulation of an organism's genetic material to alter its characteristics or create new traits, often used in agriculture, medicine, and scientific research.

Artificial Life

The creation or simulation of life-like systems, organisms, or behaviors using computer models, algorithms, and other artificial means.

Nanotechnology

The manipulation and control of matter at the nanoscale (one billionth of a meter), enabling the development of new materials, devices, and applications.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms or their components to produce useful products, such as medicines, genetically modified crops, and biofuels.

Virtual Reality

A computer-generated simulation or recreation of a real or imagined environment, which can be interacted with and experienced through sensory stimuli.

Augmented Reality

A technology that overlays digital information, such as images, videos, or 3D models, onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception and interaction with their surroundings.