African Civilizations Chapter 7 World History

The Development of Civilizations in Africa Africa is the 2nd Largest Continent after Asia It has a diverse climate and geography North: Mountainous Sahara: Largest Desert in the World West: Grasslands in the interior and jungles on the coast East: Great Rift Valley Congo Basin: dense tropical rainforest; Congo River

The Climate of Africa Four Distinct Climate Zones Mild Climate Zone Deserts Rain Forest Savannas- broad grasslands dotted with small trees and shrubs About 40% of Africa

Emerging Civilizations of Africa Kush From Nubia- the area south of Egypt Based off Trade and Farming Trading Empire Traded with Egypt, Roman Empire, Arabia, and India Trading center in the city of Meroe Farming Economy based on farming

Kushites 750 B.C.- Kush conquered Egypt 663 B.C.- Kush were pushed out of Egypt by the Assyrians Kushites were still using Bronze weaponry; Assyrians had Iron Assyrians would teach them how to smelt Iron

Axums Located in the highlands of what is now Ethiopia Founded as a colony by the Arabs, but became independent and combined Arab and African cultures Another trading empire that competed with the Kush Traded ivory, frankincense, myrrh, and slaves King Ezana in the 4th Century invaded and defeated the Kush Empire

Kingdoms and States of Africa Ghana (400-1200 A.D.) The first great trading state in West Africa (500 A.D.) Upper Niger River Valley; grassland region between the Sahara and the rainforest Farmers living in villages under the authority of a local ruler Kings Strong rulers who governed without any laws Wealthy Large well-trained armies Trade Iron and gold…. For….. Metal goods textiles, horses, and salt. Silent Trade Luxury Items: Ivory; Ostrich feathers; hides; and slaves Traded in the Mediterranean and beyond Berbers

Kingdoms and States of Africa Mali (1250-1450 A.D.) Replaced Ghana after it was weakened by wars Established in mid 19th Century Sundiata Keita Defeated the Ghanaians in 1240 A.D. TRADE Timbuktu Gold and salt trade Mansa Musa (1312-1337 A.D.) Doubled the size of the kingdom Created a strong central government and divided the kingdom into provinces ruled by governors Muslim Strongly encouraged buildings of mosques and the study of the Quran The Fall After Mansa Musa the empire fell apart due to civil war.

Kingdoms and States of Africa Songhai (1000-1600 A.D.) Niger River Valley Converted to Islam in 1009 A.D. Benefitted from Muslim trade routes Sunni Ali Created the Sunni Dynasty (1464 A.D.) Expanded the empire via military campaigns Conquering Timbuktu and Jenne gave Songhai control of the trading empire- especially trade in salt and gold- that had made Ghana and Mali so powerful Muhammad Ture Overthrew Sunni Dynasty (1493 A.D.) Continued expansion Maintained peace and security with his navy and calvary. After Ture reign, a period of slow decline and the occupation of Songhai by the Sultan of Morocco led to its fall.