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Chapter 6, Lesson 1The Rise of
African CivilizationsIt Matters Because…
The geography of Africa affected the development and interaction of civilizations all
over the huge continent.
I. African BeginningsA. Scientists believe people have lived in Africa for
between 150,000-200,000 years1. Early humans in Africa were nomadic hunter/gatherers
2. First permanent civilizations developed around 3000 BC, Egypt & Kush
A. Africa is world’s second-largest continent
B. Rain forest, jungle stretch along the Equator1. Heavy rainfall, warm all year2. Dense plant growth makes farming difficult, so slash & burn
farming is used
C. Deserts make up 40% of Africa1. Sahara stretches across N Africa, Atlantic to Red Sea2. Deserts restricted movement & settlement3. People settled along coasts & in savanna climates
II. Vast & Varied Landscape
D. Mediterranean climates found along N & S coasts1. Adequate rainfall, fertile land, warm temperatures from
sea breezes2. Plentiful farming supports large cities
E. Grasslands called savannas make up 40% of Africa1. High grass, small trees & shrubs2. High temperatures, steady rain3. People farm & herd
II. Vast & Varied Landscape
III. Landforms and RiversA. Great Rift Valley cut through E. African plateau by
ancient glaciers1. Earliest human fossils found in Great Rift Valley
B. Nile River allowed Egypt & Kush to thrive1. Nile flooded reliably & allowed agriculture2. Nile flows from south to north, empties into Mediterranean
Sea
IV. Trading EmpiresA. Sahara isolated N. Africa for thousands of years
B. Ca. 400 BC, Berbers crossed Sahara to W. Africa1. Used donkeys & horses for hundreds of years2. Animals could not survive desert heat
C. Romans introduced Asian camel, ca. AD 2001. Camels well-suited for desert2. Wide feet for walking on sand3. Humps store fat4. Able to go without water for days
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 slaves3. Slaves sent to Europe & Asia to serve as soldiers & servants
IV. Trading Empires
V. Western African KingdomsA. During 700s, Berber & Arab traders brought Islam to
W. Africa
B. Trade led to growth of city-states in W. Africa1. Rulers of city-states built trading empires2. Empires grew from 500s to 1300s3. Grew larger than most European kingdoms
VI. GhanaA. Ghana was first W. African trading
empire1. 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 trade2. Had well-trained army to enforce taxes
VII. MaliA. During 1200s, Mali conquered
Ghana1. 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 mines1. Mali built wealth on gold & salt trade
VIII. Songhai
B. In 1464, Sunni Ali became ruler of Songhai1. Seized salt mines along Niger River, used river to extend
territory2. Largest empire in Africa until its fall by 1600
A. In 1227, Mansa Musa, King of Mali, died
1. Empire of Mali broke apart2. state of Songhai gained independence
IX. Coastal StatesA. In early 600s, Arab traders
reached E. Africa1. Sailed in ships called dhows
(small ships w/ triangular sails)
B. In 700s, Muslim traders settled coast of Indian Ocean1. Shared goods & Muslim faith with native Africans2. By 1300s, several cities had grown as trading posts on
Indian Ocean coast