1. 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?

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16. Axum and Zimbabwe Kingdoms
East Africa Notes
Axum and Zimbabwe Kingdoms

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

18. 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

20. 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

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

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

24. 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