1. African Societies

2. The stage is set: A Cultural Collision At this point in human history, not only do we have an ecological collision of germ warfare between the Western Hemisphere (North America) and the Eastern Hemisphere (Europe) We also have the stage set for a cultural collision between: I.The local Native American tribes who have inhabited the Americas for thousands of years II.The adventuresome Europeans whose new navigational technologies have allowed them to, sail more proficiently than ever before. III.And the African tribes whose nomadic and feudal way of life have placed themselves in a grave cultural warfare.

3. Native American Societies When we examined the Native American Societies we understood:  There were millions of native people inhabiting North America prior to Columbus.  These native people were highly civilized and lived together in well established communities and cities.  These people were intellectually advanced in agriculture, astronomy and finances.  These people were invaded and lost an ecological battle and then a cultural battle.  Once this happened, they were susceptible to being overcome by the Europeans who were a formidable foe.

4. What does the word “Perception” mean to you? By definition, Perception is - The process by which people translate their impressions into a coherent and unified view of the world around them.

5.  So when you hear the word Africa, what do you immediately think?  When you hear a reference to Africa in the context of US History, what do you think?  The beliefs you hold as truth about Africa  are called presuppositions.  But what is your presuppositions are wrong?  How would that change the way you think about the World and Africa?  You will act and behave according to those truths you hold.

6. huge Africa is huge Africa has some limitations compared to other parts of the world. Only 6 domesticated plants for human use compared to other countries which typically have up to 18. “No” animals for domesticated use! These last two facts alone were critical to the history of Africa as to why it developed as it did. If people could not grow a sustainable food source their population could not grow and develop!

7. A Brief Historical Overview of Africa  The origins of humanity stated in northern Africa and migrated to the rest of the world.  People also migrated throughout the continent of Africa.  Since Africa could not sustain any type of domesticable plant life or animals, the food source was limited and sporadic.  The nomadic lifestyle was the norm for Africa (hunters and gatherers, moving around and limited population growth.

8. Eventually Western Africa experienced some limited farming success and the population began to grow. As such communities developed as did the technology and groups of people began to increase. Regionally Africa began to develop in the different areas. Central Africa was mostly jungle and trade was based on animal skins and ivory. Southern Africa primarily developed their gold industry. North Eastern Africa developed a community based on trade with the Middle East countries. This is where the Africa slave trade began!

9.  As these different regional areas of Africa began to develop, so did the economic commodity of people which was the slave trade industry of humans.  Originally slavery started out as the results of conflicts between fighting tribes. The tribes that overcame the other took the defeated tribe members and sold them into slavery.  In the beginning, Africans enslaved other Africans. And as slavery developed as much as one third of Africa was held in slavery.

10.  By about 700 AD the slave trade started between eastern Africa and the Muslim world.  This was the main trade commodity that Africa had with the Muslim world.  Soon after Western Africa also began using slaves to transport gold and salt over the Sahara Desert. It is estimated that before the arrival of the European society into the slave trade business, some 11 million Africans were already enslaved. This was a highly effective business.

11.  There was also another factor that led to the development of slavery, which was Europe's sweet tooth and the discovery of sugar. Sugar was considered an exotic product as was highly sought after.  The main problem with the sugar plantation industry was that it was very labor.  Also, once you have an abundance of the product, prices go down, plantations needing keep up with the demand cannot pay their workers.

12.  Around 1500 the first African were brought into North America by the Spanish.  By 1619 a Dutch trading shipped came into Jamestown and brought with them 20 slaves to trade. From that year on, the slave industry steadily grew.  In the South with warmer weather and more fertile lands developed a society based on large plantations developed.  These crops were very labor intensive. The European plantation owners did not want to work and only a few controlled vast amounts of land. Therefore the slave industry thrived and their economy depended on the slaves.

13.  The North was very different from the South. Colder climate, not conducive to farming. There was no need for slaves.  The slave population grew steadily until the 1700’s in the colonies. The North however had a number religious groups who disagreed with the institution of slavery.  The importation of slaves from Africa was only about 5% in N American compared to C and S America where there was a lot of turmoil from revolting slaves.  When the Constitution was signed the slave industry was being phased out. There was an agreement to end the importation of slaves by 1808.  In 1793 with the invention of the cotton gin, the slave industry was re- energized.