1. The rise of African civilizations
Today we are learning how geography and trade shaped the growth of African civilizations

2. Africa’s geography Sahara- largest desert 4 climate zones
Mediterranean
Desert
Savanna
Rain Forest

3. Slices Africa in ½
Savannas- tropical grass lands
Kalahari – desert in the southwest
Plateau – area of high flat land
Great Rift Valley – earliest human fossils found

4. West African Empires Berbers – 1st known people to settle Africa
“Ships of the desert” – camels
Revolutionized trade
Big feet - Do not sink in sand
Humps – store fat for food
Water – go days w/out water
Trade items
North Africa
Salt & Cloth
Western Africa
Gold & Ivory

5. Ghana
1st empire (400s)
“Crossroads of Trade” – trade routes came together
Grew wealthy from taxes
Iron weapons
Conquered neighbors using these
Controlled the ppl who had the gold mines
Built a huge army
People wanted to trade salt and gold

6. Mali Ghana’s decline Griots - sorytellers
Discovery of gold outside of Gahan’s reach reduced taxes
Fighting Muslims
Griots - sorytellers
Sundiata Keita – ruled:
“Lion Prince”
Siezed Ghana in 1240
Gold – put Mali in control of trade

7. Songhai Mali’s decline
Death of Mansa Musa
Berber’s attacked
Sunni Ai -1468, used his location near the Niger to take over Berber salt mines
War canoes seize river
Created the largest empire in W. Africa
Songhai declines
Moroccan soldiers were better equipped – weapon wise
Salt = Gold
Salt needed for
health – sweat a lot in Africa
Preserving food
Flavor food

8. Kingdoms of the Rain Forest
King Ewuare – founded the empire of Benin
Natural advantages
Farmable soil
Warm/wet climate
Food surplus – extra supply
Bananas
Yams
rice

9. East Africa Queen of Sheba – Queen Makeda
King Solomon – ruler of the Israelites
Abbyssinia - aka Ethiopia
Axum – great location – Red Sea
King Ezana – defeated Kush

10. Dhows –sailboats
Trading post – Muslim traders settled in East African city-states
Mogadishu, Zimbabwe, Kilwa, Mombasa – major links in Indian Ocean trade network
Zimbabwe – supplied gold, copper, and ivory to the west coast.
Great Zimbabwe – empire’s capital