AFRICA!
Geography Very diverse Large areas of uninhabitable land Lakes and rivers in center
Geography Cont. Sahara Desert- size of the U.S. South of Sahara is Sahel Desertification
More Geography The Nile River is one of the longest in the world Provides fertile soil for farming Dense rainforest in the center of the country.
Early Africans The first Africans were hunter-gatherers Agriculture and a settled lifestyle began around 10,000 B.C. This lead to a higher birthrate, and an increase in artisans
Early African Societies Djenne-Djenno, uncovered in 1977, major city on the Niger in 250 B.C. Nok people lived in Nigeria between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D. Had tools, smelted iron
Aksum In East Africa, Aksum grew along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Chief port was Adulis. Aksum’s height was between 325 and 380 A.D., when Ezana expanded territories.
Ghana Grew extremely wealthy from Gold-Salt trade. Cultural Diffusion: Ghana’s rulers convert to Islam 1076- Muslim Almoravids conquer Ghana.
Mali Emerged by 1235, also became wealthy because of gold-salt trade. Sundiata came to power, promoted trade and ably managed finances.
Mali Mansa Musa was leader until 1332 Had a 100,000 man army Divided Mali into provinces. Built mosques in Timbuktu.
Songhai Sunni Ali captured Timbuktu in 1468 He then took Djenne by marrying its queen. He was succeeded by Askia Muhammad, who was a good administrator.
Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe was a walled city in Southern Africa. It grew rich trading ivory and gold. City was abandoned in 1450
Mutapa Empire Mutota left Great Zimbabwe to find new resources. Founded a new state that eventually conquered Zimbabwe Portuguese infiltrated Mutapan politics
Imperialism in Africa Causes: White man’s burden Need for resources Nationalism Quinine Ethnic divisions in Africa
Early Imperialism Henry Stanley signed treaties with African chiefs, giving Leopold II control of the Congo. Leopold forced Africans to work, and treated them brutally.
Berlin Conference 1884-1885 European countries met to divide Africa into colonies. French took West Africa, British took South. Ethiopia remained free.
Africans Resist Zulu warriors and chief Shaka effectively resisted takeover. After Shaka’s death, Zulus failed. Maji Maji Rebellion, belief in magic water to stop bullets failed. Ethiopian Menelik II is successful.
Impact of Colonial Rule Many Africans die of disease Divided lands without regarding tribal divisions. Some Europeans improved African health and education. Infrastructure also improved.
African Independence Kwame Nkrumah gains Ghana independence from Britain. Jomo Kenyatta and Mau Mau gain independence for Kenya. Congo gains independence in 1960.
South Africa Apartheid divided white South Africans from black. Nelson Mandela and ANC protested nonviolently. Mandela became president in 1994.