Download Exploring the Americas

Exploring the Americas
Chapter 2 Study Guide
Terms to Know:
(Do not memorize the exact definition of these words! Understand their meanings!)
Renaissance
astrolabe
line of
demarcation
strait
circumnavigate
conquistador
pueblos
plantation
mercantilism
Ideas to Consider:
Section 1
 Who was Marco Polo and how did he affect exploration?
 The effect of the printing press
 How did Europeans learn about the products from Asia?
Section 2
 Early Exploration; why did it begin?
 Portugal’s role in early exploration
 Prince Henry of Portugal- for what is he known?
 Explorers to know: Bartholomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, Pedro Cabral,
Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Ferdinand Magullan
 How did America get its name?
 Conflict between Spain and Portugal- see BIG Concept below
 Magellan’s circumnavigation exploration. Was Magellan successful in this expedition?
Section 3
 Conquistadors: Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, Juan Ponce de Leon, Hernando de Soto
 Which conquistador conquered the Aztec? The Inca?
 How were the Spanish successful in overtaking the Natives?
 Social Classes of early Spanish settlements
 Plantations
Section 4
 What is mercantilism?
 Explorers: John Cabot, Henry Hudson, Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain
 Northwest Passage
 Protestant Reformation; How did the Protestant Church come about?
 Who was Martin Luther?
 European division
BIG Concepts to Consider:
You will receive an Essay Outline to help with these responses. We will work on the Outline in class
together!!!!
 Explain the relationship between Spain and Portugal. Remember to consider the following: Why
did the Portuguese want to find a sea route around Africa? What did Portugal NOT have?
How did Spain feel about Portugal’s trading routes? What is Portugal’s reaction to Spain’s claim
to land in the New World? What occurred to help soften the disagreement among the
countries?

Explain Protestant Reformation. Remember to consider the following: Who was responsible for
the Protestant Reformation? What did his statements say about the Church? What were the
effects the statements that were made? How was Europe divided? How did this affect the new
American colonies?