1. Chapter 6, Lesson 1 The Rise of African Civilizations
It Matters Because…
The geography of Africa affected the development and interaction of civilizations all over the huge continent.

2. I. African Beginnings
A. Scientists believe people have lived in Africa for between 150, ,000 years
1. Early humans in Africa were nomadic hunter/gatherers
2. First permanent civilizations developed around 3000 BC, Egypt & Kush

3. II. Vast & Varied Landscape
A. Africa is world’s second-largest continent
B. Rain forest, jungle stretch along the Equator
1. Heavy rainfall, warm all year
2. Dense plant growth makes farming difficult, so slash & burn farming is used
C. Deserts make up 40% of Africa
1. Sahara stretches across N Africa, Atlantic to Red Sea
2. Deserts restricted movement & settlement
3. People settled along coasts & in savanna climates

4. II. Vast & Varied Landscape
D. Mediterranean climates found along N & S coasts
1. Adequate rainfall, fertile land, warm temperatures from sea breezes
2. Plentiful farming supports large cities
E. Grasslands called savannas make up 40% of Africa
1. High grass, small trees & shrubs
2. High temperatures, steady rain
3. People farm & herd

5. III. Landforms and Rivers
A. Great Rift Valley cut through E. African plateau by ancient glaciers
1. Earliest human fossils found in Great Rift Valley
B. Nile River allowed Egypt & Kush to thrive
1. Nile flooded reliably & allowed agriculture
2. Nile flows from south to north, empties into Mediterranean Sea

6. IV. Trading Empires
A. Sahara isolated N. Africa for thousands of years
B. Ca. 400 BC, Berbers crossed Sahara to W. Africa
1. Used donkeys & horses for hundreds of years
2. Animals could not survive desert heat
C. Romans introduced Asian camel, ca. AD 200
1. Camels well-suited for desert
2. Wide feet for walking on sand
3. Humps store fat
4. Able to go without water for days

7. IV. Trading Empires
D. Camel caravans crossed Sahara, brought African gold to Europe & Asia
1. Caravans from W. Africa carried ivory, spices, leather, ostrich feathers
2. Also transported prisoners of war as slaves
3. Slaves sent to Europe & Asia to serve as soldiers & servants
4. First slaves exported from Africa

8. V. Western African Kingdoms
A. During 700s, Berber & Arab traders brought Islam to W. Africa
B. Trade led to growth of city-states in W. Africa
1. Rulers of city-states built trading empires
2. Empires grew from 500s to 1300s
3. Grew larger than most European kingdoms

9. VI. Ghana A. Ghana was first W. African trading empire
1. Located between Sahara salt mines & gold mines of coastal rain forests
B. Kings of Ghana charged taxes to traders passing from other African trading centers
1. Controlled iron weapons trade
2. Had well-trained army to enforce taxes

10. VII. Mali During 1200s, Mali conquered Ghana
1. African legend credits King Sundiata Keita with conquest
2. Sundiata known as “The Lion Prince”
3. United people of Mali
B. Conquests put Mali in control of W. African gold mines
1. Mali built wealth on gold & salt trade

11. VIII. Songhai A. In 1227, Mansa Musa, King of Mali, died
1. Empire of Mali broke apart
2. state of Songhai gained independence
B. In 1464, Sunni Ali became ruler of Songhai
1. Seized salt mines along Niger River, used river to extend territory
2. Largest empire in Africa until its fall by 1600

12. IX. Coastal States A. In early 600s, Arab traders reached E. Africa
1. Sailed in ships called dhows (small ships w/ triangular sails)
B. In 700s, Muslim traders settled coast of Indian Ocean
1. Shared goods & Muslim faith with native Africans
2. By 1300s, several cities had grown as trading posts on Indian Ocean coast