The History of Africa

Islamic Conquest Arab Muslims conquered the region in 600s. The Great Mosque of Kairauon

Middle Eastern Influence Continues Ottoman Turks take control from Byzantine Empire. Ruled from 1500s to late 1800s.

Scramble for Africa Europeans came in 1800s—French, Spanish, Italians, British.

African Independence Independence after World War II.

History of Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa was largely left untouched by outside powers and was predominantly controlled by indigenous tribes.

Arab Slave Trade—began in 7 th century. Dhows were used to bring African slaves to India. 18 million slaves arrived in Arab countries.

Explorers reached land by 1400’s 1500s—First Portuguese trading ports established What aspects of Africa do you think caused the Europeans to stay near the coast? Exploration Begins

Mid-1800’s—explorers moved inward

Atlantic Slave Trade—16 th to 19 th centuries—12 million slaves arrived in the New World.

Triangular Trade

Colonial rule—Export economies (plantations, mines); building of modern cities exported to European countries subsistence agriculture cities, hospitals, ports, roads, schools

Scramble for Africa (late 1800’s to mid 1900’s—Imperialism—arbitrary borders European countries sought out African products and minerals. Africans began working for wages, moving to cities, etc.

African Independence Movement Gained momentum after WWII, which left the major European powers weakened. 1950’s – 1970’s African democracy— immature— implemented at local levels. Small group of elite leaders—Western education Decolonization—

Postcolonial Era Effects: Worked in the new commercial economy. Modern medicine and improved infrastructure (in certain areas) Low wages and unemployment Rival ethnic groups forced to share power in newly independent countries.

“The Dark Continent”

Is media coverage racist?