| A | B |
|---|
| Crusades | 1905 Europeans launched the first of nine expeditions, to regain the holy sites from the Muslims. |
| Marco Polo | Explorer who in 1296 wrote about his trip to Asia in his book the "Travels". |
| classical | ancient Greek and Roman works. |
| Renaissance | Period of intellectual and artistic creativity, born in Italy and French for "rebirth". |
| technology | The use of scientific knowledge for pratical purposes. |
| astrolabe | Instrument that measures the position |
| acquired | obtained |
| imposed | placed |
| Mansa Musa | Mali's greatest king, ruled 1312 to 1337. |
| pilgrimage | Journey to a holy place. |
| mosques | Muslim houses of worship |
| Quran | holy book of Islam |
| Henry the Navigator | From Portugal lay the groundwork for the era of exploration. Founded a school. |
| Bartholomeu Dias | Sent to explore the southernmost part of Africa called it Cape of Good Hope |
| Vasco da Gama | 1497, he set out from Portugal with four ships, made it to India. |
| Christopher Columbus | Planned to reach Asia by sailing west. Sailed for Spain in 1492. |
| sagas | traditional stories |
| Leif Eriksson | Viking sailor explored lands west of Greenland. |
| devoted | committed |
| altered | changed |
| line of demarcation | an imaginary line running down the middle |
| Amerigo Vespucci | In 1502, sailed along South America' coast |
| Ferdinand Magellan | Portuguese seaman for Spain reached tip of South America. |
| strait | narrow sea passage, into the ocean |
| circumnavigate | sail around the world |
| conquistadors | soldier/explorers |
| grants | special privileges |
| Hernan Cortes | Landed on east coast of Mexico in 1519, was looking for gold and glory. |
| Montezuma | Aztec emperor who welcomed Cortes but became a prisoner. |
| Francisco Pizarro | Sailed the Pacific coast of S. America and captured the Inca ruler |
| Atahualpa | Inca ruler captured in 1532 and executed by the Spanish. |
| Juan Ponce de Leon | Made the first Spanish landing on the N.American mainland. |
| Hernando de Soto | Led an expedition through the southeastern U.S. |
| Pueblos | towns |
| Missions | religious communities |
| presidio | fort |
| founded | established |
| encomienda | right to demand taxes or labor from Natives living on the land. A system of slavery. |
| Bartolome de Las Casas | Spanish priest who condemned the cruel treatment of natives. |
| plantation | large estate |
