Unit III – Sub Saharan Africa

Geography Physical features are responsible for Africa’s cultural diversity Africa has up to 700 different cultures/ethnic groups, and 5000 different languages. North Africa is different from the South. This is why the region is called Sub-Saharan Africa.

Physical Geography High plateaus drop off to narrow coasts, elevation of much of the land is high – lots of cliffs. Large rivers have rapids and waterfalls near the coast, which effects development and trade. The Congo River runs so strong that it does not form a delta as it flows into the ocean – it cuts a deep wide canyon beneath the sea for a close to a mile. Africa has Regular coastline vs. irregular coastline.

Physical Geography High, impressive escarpments ring the coast Highest mountains are in Eastern Africa The highest is Mt. Kilimanjaro. The deep trench that cuts through East Africa and is 4,000 miles long is the Great Rift Valley (more than 30 Grand Canyons would fit in it).

Climate/Vegetation Rain forests: monsoons in west, equatorial in Central Savannahs: ranges from dense forest to grassy plains Deserts: Sahara in North, Kalahari in South – 1/3 of continent Sahel: area that surrounds the desert Desertification: caused by overuse, grazing, and over cutting Lots of rain takes minerals away by leaching the soil

Diversity Racism: led us to think of blacks as homogenous 1/7th of world’s area 1/10th of world’s population 1/3rd of world languages Madagascar: not African at all, settled by Malaysian traders Islamic influence = example of cultural diffusion Swahili is common in Eastern Africa and is a mixture of Arabic, Portuguese, and Bantu.

Health Malaria spread by mosquitoes and kills 1 million children per year. Spread by the tsetse fly, sleeping sickness kills cattle Other diseases such as river blindness, diphtheria, and AIDS, are a problem because of the lack of health care and sanitation facilities.

Women Work 10-15 hours a day raising kids, grinding millet for food, fetching water Men can have many wives, called polygamy. “Bride Wealth”: older husband pays for younger wife - expensive

History 6,000 – 4,000 B.C.E. River people emerge along the major river systems (Nile, Niger, Congo) 600 – 1,000 C.E. The Bantu people moved into southern Africa 2500 years ago– movement of people into new lands is called migration 1,000 B.C.E. Ghana was a major trading kingdom, exchanging salt (needed to stay healthy and preserve meats), cloth and horses, for kola nuts, gold, and fine woods. 1250 C.E. Great Zimbabwe: large stone ruins – showed powerful kingdom was there (though Europeans could not believe it).

The Slave Trade – 1400’s – 1800’s Portuguese were main slave traders 60,000 per year 10-15 million Africans (5 million to Caribbean and Brazil, 10 million to US) 50 million died as a result of trade (mostly through disease aboard slave ships. Labor on plantations

Diaspora of the Africans Encouraged cultural diffusion (Europe, Africa, N. America, S. America) Traders appealed to racism to justify brutal trade Even after the slave trade ended in mid-1800’s Africa struggled against racism Liberia (US) and Sierra Leone (GB) became countries for freed slaves

European Imperialism/Colonialism: spread of empire Guns allowed Europeans to conquer Africa in 20-yrs (1870-1890) The Berlin Conference divided Africa in 1884 Reasons for European Imperialism – money , power, religion Europeans colonized Africa because of its rich mineral resources Europeans used the false doctrine of racial inequality to justify the conquest of Africa Industrial Revolution led Europe to seek raw materials and markets for manufactured goods (colonialism) International rivalries caused Europe to expand their navies and seek fueling stations on bases around the world

Colonialism: Exportation of Cash Crops Europeans set up large plantations to produce Cash crops (products grown only to sale or export) 5 major cash crops – 80% agricultural output Cocoa Coffee Cotton Peanuts Items from palm trees (bananas)

Effects of European Colonialism on Africa Negative Downgraded traditional African culture and weakened family ties Led to forced labor and abuses of human rights Created artificial colonial boundaries that cut across historical, ethnic and cultural differences.

Positive Improved medical care, sanitation, and nutrition Expanded transportation and communications Increased agricultural production with new seeds and fertilizers Created new education and career opportunities

The End of Imperialism and Colonialism After WW II African Nationalism in Europe sparked a desire for an empire Pan-Africanism: promotion of African unity in order to end colonialism. Some battles for freedom were peaceful, some violent. Last country to gain independence was in 1993 - Eritrea Several independent African countries practice a policy of Nonalignment: noninvolvement with either Communist bloc of nations or Western bloc of nations

Africa Today: Lack of Industry After gaining their independence many foreign companies were nationalized (taken over by governments) Obstacles that most African nations must face before industrializing: 1. Unstable political systems: civil wars, coups, and dictators 2. Outdated transportation systems: few international transportation networks to link continent and encourage trade 3. Lack of capital: African Nations go to other nations and the World Bank for funding – puts them in debt 4. Shortage of skilled workers and technology 5. Limited energy resources – few coal and oil deposits. Africa has 40% of the worlds water power potential, but not the resources to utilize it

Africa Today: Food and Crisis In the 90’s more than 80% of sub-Saharan Africa still had a traditional economic system Subsistence farming – growing just enough to feed for themselves Increased population without the ability to sustain: wide spread hunger and starvation Fertile land is used for cash crops Declining productivity: worn out land & desertification rely on imported food

Africa Today: Overpopulation and Disease Extended families are becoming larger – improved medical care extends life spans and reduces infant mortality rates Some of the highest birth rates in the world AIDS : Highest percentages of infected are in Sub Saharan Africa, and used as a weapon by some.

Africa Today: Relief Efforts Some nations have begun reforestation projects in effort to stop desertification International – Live aid Make sure you know where your money is going Local wars have hindered efforts

Vocabulary Extended families – three or more generations in the same household – go to live with husbands parents Religions – animists, Islam (Eastern), Christians (Europeans) Ethnic Group – classification of people who share a cultural origin or background Tribalism – loyalty to one’s ethnic group Nationalism – devotion to one’s country Ethnocentrism – belief that your society is better than all others Genocide – that attempted destruction of a certain race

The End