Conquistadors: Spanish conquerors who played a significant role in exploring and colonizing the Americas by subjugating indigenous civilizations.
Columbian Exchange: The widespread transfer of plants, animals, diseases, technologies, and ideas between Europe, Africa, and the Americas following Christopher Columbus's voyages.
Encomienda System: A labor system established by the Spanish in their American colonies which granted landowners control over indigenous peoples' labor in exchange for protection and Christian conversion.