1. Africa

2. Geography Geography: The Continent of Africa – After Asia, Africa is the second largest continent, covering 1/5 of the Earth’s land surface – Geography is varied, certain features had a major impact on its development

3. Climate Zones – Tropical rainforests cover less than 5% of the land (mostly on the equator) Trees and roots make it unstable for farming – Savanna: Grassy plains, that stretch north and south of the forest zone Largest and most populated climate zone Generally has good soil and enough rainfall to support farming Irregular patterns of rainfall cause long deadly droughts Cattle herding is a common occupation

4. The Sahara Desert: In the northern part of Africa, it is the world’s largest desert – Size and harsh terrain limited movement – The Kalahari & the Namib are in the south Smaller but equally forbidding Mediterranean Coast of the North and South – Fertile farmland

5. Movement – Africa is surrounded by Oceans and Seas – Rivers → Zambezi, Congo, Niger, and Nile all serve as open highways – Despite some geographic barriers, people were able to migrate, both within Africa & to neighboring continents Red Sea & Indian Ocean linked Africa to the Middle East North Africa allowed for travel to Europe

6. Resources – Wealth of minerals has spurred trade in many regions Salt, Iron, Gold & Copper – In the 1800’s, desire for Gold and Diamonds was once cause that led Europeans to seek control of territories in Africa More recently, nations such as Nigeria and Angola have exported large quantities of oil

7. Migration of Peoples – Archaeologists have uncovered evidence to pinpoint the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, as the home of the earliest people Gradually their descendants, traveled to almost every corner of the Earth

8. Stone Age Cultures – In Africa, Paleolithic people developed skills as hunters and gathers – By 5500BC, Neolithic farmers had learned to cultivate the Nile Valley & to domesticate animals Settled into permanent villages that eventually supported the great civilization of Ancient Egypt – Farming spread across North Africa – Neolithic villages even appeared in the Sahara region (At the time, it was a well watered zone) Ancient paintings show the Sahara filled with forests and rivers

9. The Sahara Dries Out – About 2500BC, climate change dried out the Sahara – As the land became parched the desert spread This process of desertification, had continued to the present, devouring thousands of areas of cropland each year – As the region dried, people retreated Some moved North to the Mediterranean coast, others migrated south to the Savannah or Rain Forests

10. The Nile Kingdom of Nubia – Also referred to as Kush, was located in present day Sudan Archaeologists & historians have just begun to document shifting tides of Nubia’s 4000 years old history Nubia and Egypt – From time to time, ambitious Egyptian pharaohs subdued Nubia, but Nubia would always gain their independence As a result of conquest & trade, Nubian rulers adopted many Egyptian traditions Built palaces & pyramids, modeled on Egyptian styles

11. North Africa in the Ancient World – Early African civilizations had strong ties to the Mediterranean World Trade linked Egypt with Greece and Mesopotamia Later Egypt was ruled by the Greeks and the Romans

12. Carthage – Rose as the great North African power Wealth came from trade – Created by Phoenician traders, Carthage came to dominate the Western Mediterranean – Between 800BC-146BC, it forged an Empire that stretched from Maghreb (present day Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco) to southern Spain & Sicily – As Rome expanded, territorial & trade rivalries erupted between the two powers Despite efforts of Hannibal, Rome eventually crushed Carthage

13. Roman Rule – Romans built roads, dams, aqueducts & cities across North Africa Imported lions and other fierce animals from North Africa, to do battle with Gladiators Also provided Roman soldiers – Christianity spread to cities of North Africa

14. Camel Revolutionizes Trade – By 200AD, Camels had been brought to North Africa from Asia – Traders had earlier made attempts across the desert in horse drawn carriages Camel caravans created new trade networks Spread of Islam – In the 600s Arab armies carried Islam into North Africa Islam replaced Christianity, which was the dominant religion of North Africa Arabic replaced Latin as the language North African traders carried Islam to West Africa

15. Kingdoms of West Africa The West African Landscape – When the Sahara dried out, Neolithic people migrated southward into Western Savanna Farmers grew beans, melons, & a wide variety of cereal grains By 100, settled farming villages were expanding along the Senegal & Niger rivers around Lake Chad – In time some villages grew into towns

16. Trading Patterns – Villages traded any surplus food they produced – Gradually, a trade network linked the Savannah to forest lands in the south Then funneled goods across the Sahara to the Mediterranean and the Middle East – From West Africa caravans crossed the Sahara, carrying leather goods, Kola nuts, cotton cloth and slaves – Gold For Salt: Gold and Salt dominated the Sahara trade Gold was plentiful in present day Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal Salt, from West Africa, is an abundance in the Sahara – Needed to prevent dehydration, preserve food – Built homes from Salt Blocks

17. Trading Kingdoms of West Africa Ghana – King was semi-divine figure Dispensed justice, kept order, had a huge army of foot soldiers with Calvary – Women in Ghana had a high status & played an active role in the economic life of the empire Some held positions in the government

18. – Influence of Islam Muslim merchants formed their own communities Islam spread slowly at first The King employed Muslims as counselors and officials Muslims introduced their written language, coinage, business methods and styles of architecture – City dwellers adopted Islam

19. Mali – Greatest Emperor was Mansa Musa Came to the throne in 1312 – Expanded Mali’s borders westward to the Atlantic Ocean – For 25 years he worked to restore peace and order in his empire – Converted to Islam and based his system of justice on the Quran Didn’t adopt all customs, women were not secluded to the home

20. – The Emperor’s Hajj Journeyed across the Sahara Musa was accompanied by 500 slaves, each bringing a Gold staff – Had 100 camels decorated with gold Musa spent so lavishly that the value of Gold in Cairo dropped for 10 years Finally got to Arabia, reaching Mecca and visited the Kaaba and prayed – Made long journey back across the Sahara to Mali – The Hajj had taken over a year

21. – Results of the Hajj Mansa Musa showed his devotion to Islam Made new trading and diplomatic ties with Muslim states, such as, Egypt and Morocco Returned home with scholars and artists – Newcomers introduced Arab styles in the palaces and Mosques of Mali Word of Mali’s enormous wealth spread across the Muslim World – European rulers developed an interest in African Gold » Recently began using Gold coins

22. Songhai – In the 1400’s, civil wars weakened Mali – By 1450 a new West African Kingdom, Songhai had emerged – Sonni Ali used his powerful army to forge the largest state that had ever existed in West Africa Did not adhere to practices of Islam Followed traditional beliefs – Askia Muhammad became Emperor after Sonni’s death Set up a Muslim dynasty

23. – Further expanded the territory of Songhai and improved government – Set up a bureaucracy with separate departments for farming, army, & the treasury The King appointed officials to supervise each department – Also made a pilgrimage to Mecca – Prospered until 1586, due to civil war Ruler of Morocco sent his armies south to seize the West African Gold mines Moroccans'’ were unable to rule an empire across the Sahara

24. Trading Kingdoms of East Africa Axum – Ruled: 900BC- 600 – Religion: Christianity – Traded: Ivory, hides, rhinoceros horns, fur, slaves, and gold Great Zimbabwe- “Great Stone Building” – Ruled: 900-1500 – Religion: “God-King” – Traded: Gold

25. Ethiopia – Ruled: 1275-1550 – Religion: Christian – Traded same as the Axumiles Were their ancestors City States: Mogadishu, Kilwa, Zanzibar – Ruled: 1000 – International trade created a mix of cultures Traded with Arabia Blend of cultures created the language, Swahili

26. The Kingdom of Kongo – Reached its height in 1500’s – Consisted of many villages grouped in districts and provinces Governed by officials appointed by the king Each village had it’s own chief – King was chosen by a board of electors and governed traditional laws – Portuguese eventually obtained many of their slaves from the Kongo