West Africa Around 1492

The Sahara Highway From before 600 AD traders traveled across the Sahara Desert in order to trade goods and transfer ideas.

The Saharan Epicenter: Songhai Controlled most of West Africa Except the forest kingdoms Timbuktu the hub of a well-established trading network These ports allowed access to markets in Europe and Asia.

Timbuktu became a busy commercial center Good location Because of trade routes it grew wealthy and powerful.

Benin Forests provided protection from conquest Allowed access for trade. Traders carried goods out of the forests or paddled them along the Niger River to the savanna Flourishing trade made the forest kingdom of Benin very rich.

Benin was specifically known for its highly developed metal-working industries.

Kongo - Within another stretch of rain forest, in West Central Africa, the powerful kingdom of Kongo arose.

In the late 1400s, Kongo consisted of a series of small kingdoms ruled by a single leader the Manikongo could be either a man or a woman. Dom Pedro VII and Dona Isabel (1923-1955)

Livelihood Middle Bottom West Africans divided tasks by age and by social status. Top village leaders/ kings and queens and religious leaders were equal Middle Artisans (people specializing in a skill like metal-smithing) coming next Bottom Peasants Leaders (Kings, Queens, Rel.) Artisans Peasants

Slavery? At the lowest rung in some societies were slaves. People were not born into slavery Slavery did not mean a lifetime of servitude. In Africa, slaves could escape their bondage in a number of ways. Could be adopted into or they married into the family they served. Slavery WAS NOT Based on race like the slavery that evolved in the Americas.

You will now WORK WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR to create a comparison matrix! We are covering Europeans during 1492 tomorrow. You will hold on to this and finish it after notes tomorrow. Use your notes or you can search on the Smart Board if you need further information

Native Americans West Africans Europeans Exclusive to N.A. Similar because: What they ALL had in common: Exclusive to W. Africa Exclusive to Europeans