Beringia
A land bridge that once connected Siberia and Alaska during the last Ice Age, allowing human migration into North America.
Horticulture
The practice of garden cultivation and management, which includes growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Aztecs
A Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521, known for their rich mythology and architectural feats such as the Templo Mayor.
Maya
An ancient Mesoamerican civilization noted for its hieroglyphic script, advanced knowledge in mathematics and astronomy, and monumental architecture, which thrived in present-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Incas
A South American civilization known for its sophisticated road systems and architecture, including the famous site of Machu Picchu, which dominated the Andes region before the Spanish conquest.
Hopewell People
A prehistoric Native American culture that existed in the east-central area of North America, noted for their elaborate earthworks and extensive trade networks, peaking around 100 BCE to 500 CE.
Crusades
A series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period, the most well-known being the campaigns in the Eastern Mediterranean aimed at recovering the Holy Land from Muslim rule.
Black Death
A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75-200 million people.
Pandemic
An outbreak of a disease that occurs on a global scale, affecting a large number of people across multiple countries or continents.
Renaissance
A period of cultural revival and advancement in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, marked by a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and learning.
Enterprise of the Indies
A term used to describe the exploration and colonization efforts of Spain and Portugal in the Americas, spurred by Christopher Columbus's voyages.
Encomienda
A Spanish labor system that granted colonists the right to the labor of a group of indigenous people in exchange for providing protection and religious instruction.
Columbian Exchange
The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following the voyages of Christopher Columbus.
Conquistadors
Conquistadors were Spanish explorers and soldiers who conquered territories in the New World during the Age of Discovery. Notable figures include Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, who led expeditions that resulted in the fall of the Aztec and Inca empires, respectively.