1. African Civilizations
Chapter 7
World History

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Kingdoms and States of Africa
Ghana ( 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

8. Kingdoms and States of Africa
Mali ( 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 ( 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.

9. Kingdoms and States of Africa
Songhai ( 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.