1. Early African Civilizations Chapter 7

2. The Development of Civilizations in Africa Section 1

3. The Land of Africa 2 nd largest continent with many geographic regions North - Mediterranean Sea, mountainous Moving south next is the Sahara - largest desert in the world Desert turns to grasslands to jungles then back to grasslands moving south East – Mountains and uplands Great Rift Valley - mountains over canyons – grasslands West-Central Congo Basin - Congo River - rain forests Kalahari Desert – Southwest

4. Climate Four climate zones Moderate – Northern coast and southern tip - moderate rainfall and warm temperatures Deserts – Sahara and Kalahari – covers 40% Rain forests – Heavy rain and warm temperatures produce dense forests Savannas – grasslands with unreliable rainfall – allows for some farming and herding – covers 40%

5. Climate and Vegetation Map

6. Kush Located in Nubia – it was part of southern Egypt – gains independence around 1000 BCE Traded with Egypt – What items? Ivory, ebony, frankincense, leopard skins Kushites conquered Egypt in 750 BCE, short-lived Returned to the upper Nile river valley after being overpowered by the Assyrians in 663 BCE – how? Better weaponry made with iron, not stone and bronze Economy – original basis? What makes it well known? First based on farming Emerges as a major trading state –city of Meroe

8. Meroe – Kush Trading City Good location – At the point of where the land route across the desert crosses the Nile – Large supply of iron ore – Uses? Make weapons and tools for trade Exports and imports? Exports - Iron, ivory, gold, ebony, slaves – Imports - luxury items like silver and jewelry

9. Society in Kush Not much is known Mostly urban and prosperous - How do we know this? Archeological evidence State authorities probably controlled the foreign trade Most likely had a large merchant class Peak was from about 250 BCE to 150 CE, declines with the rise of the Axum

10. The Rise of Axum Founded as a colony by Arabs in modern day Ethiopia Emerges as an independent state that combines Arab and African cultures Prosperity can be credited to its location on the Red Sea – part of the trade route from India to the Mediterranean Exports and Imports? Exports – Ivory, frankincense, myrrh, slaves – Imports – textiles, metal goods, wine, and olive oil

12. King Ezana Competition between Kush and Axum for Ivory trade In the beginning of the 4 th century he invades and conquers Kush What does he do that is significant? Around 330 CE he converts to Christianity and makes it the official religion of Axum After his death Axum continues to flourish, but by the 7 th century it begins to decline

13. The coming of Islam Islamic/Arabic expansion affects Africa shortly after its origination 641 - Egypt is conquered By the early 8 th century the coast of N. Africa is under Arabic control Relatively peaceful relations between Islamic Africa and Axum until a trading war ensues over the control of slave and ivory Axum Empire collapses in 950

14. Islamic Empire 7 th Century