| A | B |
|---|
| Mesoamerica | region and cultural area in the Americas extending approximately from Central Mexico to Central America (middle of the Americas) |
| Aztecs | Native Americans who lived in Mexico from the 1200's to the 1500's |
| Herman Cortes | Spanish explorer that defeated the Aztecs |
| Incas | Native Americans who lived on the coast of South America from the 1400's to the 1500's |
| Francisco Pizarro | Spanish explorer who defeated the Incas |
| Montezuma II | last leader and ruler of the Aztec empire |
| Atahualpa | last leader and ruler of the Incan empire |
| Columbian Exchange | the exchange of goods and ideas between Europe and the Americas |
| Spanish Mission System | when all the Native Americas were forced to convert to Christianity by the Catholic Church |
| Encomienda | group of Indians given by the Spanish monarchy to a Spaniard |
| Miguel Hidalgo | Catholic priest who led a peasant army against the Spanish army in Mexico. He fought for independence in Mexico but never saw it in his lifetime. |
| Agriculture | farming |
| Chinampas | floating gardens used by the Aztecs to grow crops |
| Terrace farming | carved steps up the side of teh mountain to create flat land for farming. The terraces also helped to keep rainwater from running off and reduce erosion. |
| Triangle Trade | the trade of African slaves, sugar, and other goods between Africa, the America, and Europe |
| Toussaint L' Overture | leader of a slave revolt in Haiti. His revolt ultimately led to Haiti gaining their independence from Spain. |
| Simon Bolivar | leader in the wars for independence in South America |
| Tenochtitlan | Aztec capital (The destruction of this city marked the beginning of Spanish rule in Mexico) |
| Cuzco | Incan capital city |
| Conquistador | Spanish explorer (conqueror) |
