Essential Questions What was the main cause of wealth and power in West Africa? How did religion impact the various kingdoms in Africa? Which civilizations declined for unknown reasons? What role did rulers play in African societies?

Geography of Islam Spread of Islam: Islam originated in Mecca and Medina on the Arabian peninsula. Muhammad and his followers spread Islam. Islam spread across Asia and Africa and into Spain

Spread of Islam In the first three centuries after Muhammad’s death, Muslim rule expanded rapidly, overcoming geographic barriers, and facilitated by weakened political empires. Political unity and the Arabic language helped trade and stimulated intellectual activity.

Spread of Islam Diffusion along trade routes from Mecca and Medina Expansion despite great distances, desert environments, and mountain barriers Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia enabled by weak Byzantine and Persian empires

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires West Africa Notes Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires

Ghana Existed from 800 – 1076 Located in West Africa near Senegal River

Ghana - Accomplishments Gold-salt trade made this empire wealth and powerful Rulers converted to Islam

Decline of Ghana Muslims attacked from North Africa Muslims retreated, but the gold-salt trade was badly disrupted

Mali Existed from 1235 – 1400 Ghana’s former territory As far east as the Niger River

Mali - Accomplishments Expanded gold-salt trade further east Promoted agriculture Efficient government led by Sundiata and Mansa Musa Timbuktu becomes important trading center

Decline of Mali Gold trade shifted eastward again Series of weak leaders after Mansa Musa

Songhai Existed from 1464 – 1591 Near the large bend in the Niger River

Songhai – Accomplish. Great military power led by Sunni Ali expanded the empire Askia Muhammad led government with efficient tax system and able officials

Decline of Songhai Defeated by a Moroccan army with gunpowder and cannons

Axum and Zimbabwe Kingdoms East Africa Notes Axum and Zimbabwe Kingdoms

Axum (Aksum) Existed from 1000 B.C.E. – 700 C.E. Located in Northeast Africa by source of Nile River and Red Sea

Axum – Accomplishments Center of trade, especially the seaport Adulis Converted to Christianity Impressive stone architecture, including stelae (huge stone pillars) Only kingdom to develop a written language, Ge’ez

Decline of Axum Muslim invaders destroyed Adulis in 710 Aksumites fled to Christian lands in Ethiopia Depletion of forests and soil erosion led to its final decline

Zimbabwe Existed from 1000 – 1450 Located between Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers

Zimbabwe – Accomplish. Great Zimbabwe was a major trading center for over 350 years Leaders taxed traders who traveled along their trade routes

Decline of Zimbabwe The city was abandoned for unknown reasons Possible theories are: the cattle overate their grasslands, farming wore out the soil, or people used up the salt and timber