Warm-Up What Vocabulary words did you find most interesting from the list yesterday? What Vocabulary words did you find most interesting from the list yesterday?

Ancient Africa Unit 6

Africa’s Early History Civilization arose between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert Civilization arose between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert Called Sub-Saharan Africa Called Sub-Saharan Africa

Geography Plateau: much of Sub-Saharan Africa is a plateau Plateau: much of Sub-Saharan Africa is a plateau Steep shoreline, few harbors Steep shoreline, few harbors Rivers (Congo, Niger and Zambezi) are blocked by rapids  hard to travel on Rivers (Congo, Niger and Zambezi) are blocked by rapids  hard to travel on Positive: Protected from invasion Positive: Protected from invasion Negative: Trade and communication difficult Negative: Trade and communication difficult

Geography Sahara Desert covers ¼ of the African continent Sahara Desert covers ¼ of the African continent Thousands of years ago, the Sahara was fertile and well watered Thousands of years ago, the Sahara was fertile and well watered Because of changing wind and weather patterns, it is dry and barren today Because of changing wind and weather patterns, it is dry and barren today

Geography Africa has three distinct geographic features Africa has three distinct geographic features Desert: the Sahara Desert (largest in the world) covers 3,500,000 square miles which is ¼ of the continent Desert: the Sahara Desert (largest in the world) covers 3,500,000 square miles which is ¼ of the continent The Sahel: the region between the Sahara and the Savannas. The Sahel: the region between the Sahara and the Savannas. Plateaus: large grasslands, with few trees, known as the Savannah, covers the majority of the continent. Good for farming Plateaus: large grasslands, with few trees, known as the Savannah, covers the majority of the continent. Good for farming Rainforest: cover the center of Africa around the Equator Rainforest: cover the center of Africa around the Equator

Geogrphy Rainfall is much greater in the south and vegetation is greater Rainfall is much greater in the south and vegetation is greater Some areas in central and Western Africa receive more than 100 inches of rain a year Some areas in central and Western Africa receive more than 100 inches of rain a year Tropical Rainforest thrive in these areas Tropical Rainforest thrive in these areas Hot wet climate is a breeding ground for insects  many early Africans perished from diseases. Hot wet climate is a breeding ground for insects  many early Africans perished from diseases.

Major Landforms Africa’s longest river is the Nile Africa’s longest river is the Nile Africa’s rivers often have a series of rapids that make exploration and trade difficult Africa’s rivers often have a series of rapids that make exploration and trade difficult Africa’s largest lake is Lake Victoria Africa’s largest lake is Lake Victoria The Great Rift Valley- a rift in the Earth where several long narrow lakes including Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. The Great Rift Valley- a rift in the Earth where several long narrow lakes including Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi.

Tribes and Villages Before the emergence of the major African civilization, most people lived in smaller villages and were members of tribes. Before the emergence of the major African civilization, most people lived in smaller villages and were members of tribes. The people living in areas around the Sahara desert. The Sahara was then a grassland with large lakes. The people living in areas around the Sahara desert. The Sahara was then a grassland with large lakes. The people that settled here became the first farmers. They used tools of stone and bone and produced pottery decorated with a distinctive pattern of wavy lines. The people that settled here became the first farmers. They used tools of stone and bone and produced pottery decorated with a distinctive pattern of wavy lines. The Sahara experienced major droughts, and eventually this land became a desert forcing people to settle elsewhere The Sahara experienced major droughts, and eventually this land became a desert forcing people to settle elsewhere

The Kingdoms of Kush and Aksum Kingdom of Kush. Kingdom of Kush. Arose along the upper Nile. Arose along the upper Nile. Egyptian territory. Egyptian territory. Area known as Nubia Area known as Nubia

Kush Civilization The Egyptians were very influential in the civilization of Kush. The Egyptians were very influential in the civilization of Kush. Pyramids are the best example. The kingdom of Kush had over 180 pyramids. Pyramids are the best example. The kingdom of Kush had over 180 pyramids.

Kush Civilization The economy of Kush revolved around trade with Egypt and along the Red Sea. The economy of Kush revolved around trade with Egypt and along the Red Sea. Kush was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture. They built pyramids and developed an alphabet. They also worshiped some of the same gods. Kush was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture. They built pyramids and developed an alphabet. They also worshiped some of the same gods. The people of Kush became known for their metal work. The people of Kush became known for their metal work. Kush declines when the Assyrians invade. They also start to lose trade to Aksum Kush declines when the Assyrians invade. They also start to lose trade to Aksum

Aksum Kingdom developed out of the mountains of Ethiopia Kingdom developed out of the mountains of Ethiopia Their capital city was Aksum. Adulis was their primary port and center for trade. Their capital city was Aksum. Adulis was their primary port and center for trade.

Aksum Like Kush their economy revolved around trade with Egypt and along the Red Sea. Like Kush their economy revolved around trade with Egypt and along the Red Sea. They traded Gold, Ivory, and other Natural Resources for silk and spices. Their trade network reached as far as India. They traded Gold, Ivory, and other Natural Resources for silk and spices. Their trade network reached as far as India.

Aksum They coined money, and had their own written language. Eventually they conquered the kingdom of Kush They coined money, and had their own written language. Eventually they conquered the kingdom of Kush They are most famous for their metal work They are most famous for their metal work

King Ezana King Ezana was the first African king to convert to Christianity King Ezana was the first African king to convert to Christianity After his conversion, Aksum becomes a Christian kingdom. After his conversion, Aksum becomes a Christian kingdom.

Decline of Aksum Aksum declines after losing the Red Sea trade to Arab Empires. Aksum declines after losing the Red Sea trade to Arab Empires. The kingdom also suffers a series of droughts caused by deforestation. The kingdom also suffers a series of droughts caused by deforestation.

Decline of Aksum Factors of Decline: Factors of Decline: 1.Excessive land use and destruction of forests. 2. Persians gained control of much of the Red Sea trade. 3.Islamic Arab power won control of trade, commercial and political power.

Great Zimbabwe The capital of Great Zimbabwe ( Kilwa ) was the center of a trading empire in southern Africa The capital of Great Zimbabwe ( Kilwa ) was the center of a trading empire in southern Africa They traded Gold, Ivory, and other goods across the Indian Ocean They traded Gold, Ivory, and other goods across the Indian Ocean The empire crumbles due to over population The empire crumbles due to over population

Trans-Saharan Trade Route Very important to the early kingdoms in Northern Africa Very important to the early kingdoms in Northern Africa

Ghana First of several West African Empires First of several West African Empires Settlements started along the Niger River Settlements started along the Niger River Used iron weapons and tools to conquer new territory Used iron weapons and tools to conquer new territory

Ghana They traded Gold, Ivory, and salt for manufactured goods from Europe They traded Gold, Ivory, and salt for manufactured goods from Europe The name “ Gold Coast ” was given to this area, including Ghana and the surrounding countries The name “ Gold Coast ” was given to this area, including Ghana and the surrounding countries Their capital was Kumbi Saleh, it was a center for trade and learning Their capital was Kumbi Saleh, it was a center for trade and learning Tunka Manin commanded an army of 200,000 soldiers Tunka Manin commanded an army of 200,000 soldiers His army was not enough to stop his empire from crumbling His army was not enough to stop his empire from crumbling The Ghanaian Empire was overthrown by the Malinke people who established the Mali Empire The Ghanaian Empire was overthrown by the Malinke people who established the Mali Empire

Mali Formed after the collapse of the Ghanaian Empire Formed after the collapse of the Ghanaian Empire Was known for its wealth (gold/salt trade) Was known for its wealth (gold/salt trade) Its capital was Timbuktu Its capital was Timbuktu

Mansa Musa A famous mansa, or king of Mali A famous mansa, or king of Mali Was a devoted Muslim and made a pilgrimage to Mecca Was a devoted Muslim and made a pilgrimage to Mecca He brought 300 pounds of gold with him He brought 300 pounds of gold with him

Mansa Musa He supported education and founded a university in Timbuktu He supported education and founded a university in Timbuktu Questions over who would rule after Mansa Musa and a rebellion in Songhai caused the empire to decline Questions over who would rule after Mansa Musa and a rebellion in Songhai caused the empire to decline

Songhai The third and largest African empire The third and largest African empire Founded when Sonni Ali captured Timbuktu in 1468 A.D. Founded when Sonni Ali captured Timbuktu in 1468 A.D. The city of Gao becomes the busiest trading center The city of Gao becomes the busiest trading center

Songhai The kingdom stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Chad The kingdom stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Chad The kingdom was divided into several providences. Each with a governor and officials. The kingdom was divided into several providences. Each with a governor and officials. Ali’s successor, Muhammad I Askia, increased Songhai’s trading empire Ali’s successor, Muhammad I Askia, increased Songhai’s trading empire Goods from Europe, India and China all were present in Timbuktu. Goods from Europe, India and China all were present in Timbuktu. Muhammad I supported Islamic scholarship which he based around a university Muhammad I supported Islamic scholarship which he based around a university Books/ texts that were imported sold for the highest prices. Books/ texts that were imported sold for the highest prices.

Downfall of Songhai While prosperous Songhai did have its problems While prosperous Songhai did have its problems Internal fighting between numerous subjected people weakened the empire Internal fighting between numerous subjected people weakened the empire In 1591 a Moroccan army equipped with European guns and cannons defeated Songhai. In 1591 a Moroccan army equipped with European guns and cannons defeated Songhai.

Africa after Songhai Colonized by Europe Colonized by Europe The Scramble for Africa: between The Scramble for Africa: between European nations scramble to colonize /claim land in Africa; conferences like Berlin Conference ( ) were held to avoid war between European Powers European nations scramble to colonize /claim land in Africa; conferences like Berlin Conference ( ) were held to avoid war between European Powers

Independence The first African country to regain its independence was Libya in 1951 The first African country to regain its independence was Libya in 1951 The last African country to regain its independence was Eritrea in 1993 The last African country to regain its independence was Eritrea in 1993

Oral Traditions Oral Traditions: Information about the history & cultural development of Africa passed by word of mouth. Includes poems, songs and stories. Oral Traditions: Information about the history & cultural development of Africa passed by word of mouth. Includes poems, songs and stories. Oral traditions are some of the most popular cultural expressions that exist from the ancient African civilizations. Oral traditions are some of the most popular cultural expressions that exist from the ancient African civilizations. Griots are African story tellers. Griots are African story tellers. Fables- stories meant to teach children important lessons about how to behave. Fables- stories meant to teach children important lessons about how to behave. Many fables have been passed down hundreds of years, and can be found today. Many fables have been passed down hundreds of years, and can be found today. Folktales- stories that are passed on by word of mouth. Folktales- stories that are passed on by word of mouth. Not many of these exist in writing. Not many of these exist in writing.

Exit Ticket Pack-up, Pick up trash off the floor, complete exit ticket Pack-up, Pick up trash off the floor, complete exit ticket Write down 3 things you learned today from the notes Write down 3 things you learned today from the notes Write down 2 things you still have questions about Write down 2 things you still have questions about Write down 1 thing you found interesting Write down 1 thing you found interesting