Africa SOL 10

Essential Question How did japans geography influenced its development

African civilizations developed in Sub-Saharan west and east Africa. The Sahara is a desert located in northern Africa. It is the largest desert in the world.

Trade brought important economic, cultural, and religious influences to African civilizations from other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere African cultures believed in animism- belief that plants and objects have a soul and a supernatural power

States and empires flourished in Africa during the medieval period Ghana, Mali, Songhai in west Africa Axum East Africa Zimbabwe in southeastern Africa

The empires in West Africa, developed in an area called the Sudan. It was a grassland.

Three kingdoms arose in this “Golden Age” of West African history. Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

Ghana Located in west Africa on the Niger & Senegal rivers. Ghana was very rich and powerful. Because of $ they were able to keep large armies. (up to 200,000 men)

The region of Ghana was rich in gold and the king controlled the gold - salt trade routes across Africa.

Muslims came into Ghana and converted many people. In 1042 a group of Arabs invaded and began a holy war against non Muslims.

1200 - 1450 Mali West Africa, south of Sahara on Niger & Senegal river. Took control of the gold - salt trade routes after fall of Ghana.

Greatest king was Mansa Musa. The kingdom was Muslim. Set up great learning center – Timbuktu.

City of Timbuktu as center of trade and learning

Songhai West Africa on the Niger river. Converted to Islam under king Askia Muhammad. Relied on gold - salt trade.

Sunni Ali was greatest king. Made Songhai largest empire West Africa ever had. (Stretched nearly 1800 miles) Eventually a civil war broke out and West Africa divided into many small kingdoms.

Axum Located near the Nile River. East Africa, Ethiopian highlands Located near the Nile River. One of the few Christian kingdoms in Africa.

Zimbabwe Located in southeastern Africa near the Indian Ocean coast. Known as “Great Zimbabwe” due to prosperous trade during the Middle Ages.