So-Super-Fast History of Africa

Geographic Considerations  North- Mediterranean- access to trade- coastal mountains- land for agriculture  East- Rift Valley- some mountains- Indian Ocean  West- grasslands and some rainforest along the Niger river  Central - equatorial- Congo- only real rainforest  South- high plateau- temperate climate-savanna

Bantu Migrations

 The Bantu Migration was the result of famine and drought. They needed to find better farm land, so they spread south.  The Bantu spread their language, knowledge of iron production, their ideas of slavery, and their experience with settled tropical agriculture.  This group would eventually lead to the Great Zimbabwe & Zulu civilizations.

Islam in Africa  The Umayyad Dynasty decided to spread Islam to the map , but the conflict over who got to rule next & treatment of non-Arab Muslims ended up splitting Muslims (Sunni & Shi’a)  The Muslims were great traders, and the trade routes spread through Northern Africa  Sub Saharan Africa: Gold and Slaves  China: Silk and Porcelain  E. Africa: Gold and Ivory  SE Asia and India: Sandalwood and Spices  Egypt: Grain  Iraq: Linen, Dates, and Precious Stones  W. India: Textiles

Mali Empire The Mali Empire was a medieval West African state of the Mandinka from c to c The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa. The Mali Empire had many profound cultural influences on West Africa allowing the spread of its language, laws and customs along the Niger River.

Mali Empire  The Mali Empire flourished because of trade above all else. It contained three immense gold mines within its borders unlike the Ghana Empire, which was only a transit point for gold.  The empire taxed every ounce of gold or salt that entered its borders.  By the beginning of the 14th century, Mali was the source of almost half the Old World's gold.  After Mansa Musa’s death, Mali declined & was replaced by another major empire. Ancient Timbuktu

The Atlantic Slave Trade  European Slavery is longer-lasting than African slavery.  European settlers in the Americas needed workers for their mines and plantations. The settlers know Africans were skilled farmers, miners, and metal workers.  By the 1600’s, The slave trade evolved out or traders exchanging goods

The Atlantic Slave Trade  Some Anomalies  Some states escaped: Rwanda  Other societies benefited economically from selling slaves, trading, or operating ports  On the whole, however, the slave trade devastated Africa  Gender ratios distorted; leads to polygamy & more dominant women  Fewer individual kingdoms  Broken family units  Lost potential of young people “Door of No Return” on Goree Island off the coast of Senegal

Industrial Revolution Source for Raw Materials Markets for Finished Goods European Nationalism Missionary Activity Military & Naval Bases European Motives For Colonization Places to Dump Unwanted/ Excess Popul. $$$ Humanitarian Reasons European Racism 1 2 3

Colonies in Africa  1884: Berlin Conference  1884: 10% of Africa is owned by Europeans  1910: 10% of Africa is owned by Africans (way to go Liberia & Ethiopia!)  Long-lasting Results  Several ethnic groups shoved into single countries  Christianity spreads through Africa  Africans had no control over their own countries.  Wars, riots, protest, starvation, & spread of new diseases were common.  Africans forced into labor When the European Colonialists came, they had the Bible, we had the land. They said, “Let’s close our eyes & Pray.” When we opened our eyes, we had the Bible, and they had the land.” --- Randall Robinson

Independence Movements  Pan-Africanism: A movement, founded around 1900, to secure equal rights, self-government, independence, and unity for African peoples. Congress meetings in 1919, 1921, 1923, 1927, and 1945  WWII would inspire many people throughout Africa to seek freedom for their own countries.  African colonies played a major role during the war. African soldiers fought and died to help free Europe from Nazi conquest.

Independence Movements  The Effects of Independence  Left in economic shambles  Some European powers fought to keep, some did not  Some really good new leaders  Europeans didn’t give them preparation for independence.  Many looked to the US and USSR for stability (#Coldwarproblems)  Many have constant dictators