Age of Exploration Vocabulary

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Astrolabe

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A historical instrument used by sailors to measure the altitude of stars and planets to navigate at sea.

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Conquistador

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A Spanish explorer and conqueror, especially one who took part in the conquest of the Americas during the 16th century.

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Middle Passage

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The sea route taken by slave ships from West Africa to the Americas, known for its brutal conditions and high mortality rates among enslaved people.

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Triangular Trade

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A system of transatlantic trade in the 17th to 19th centuries that involved three regions: Europe, Africa, and the Americas, exchanging goods, enslaved people, and raw materials.

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Mercantilism

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An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of stockpiling precious metals and maintaining a favorable balance of trade to increase national power.

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Old World

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The term used to describe Europe, Asia, and Africa before the discovery of the Americas.

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New World

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The term used to describe the Americas and the islands of the Caribbean following their discovery by Europeans.