Accelerated World HistoryOctober 21, 2015

Warm Up – October 21, 2015

In early African societies, people incorporated elements of a religion in which spirits play an important role in regulating daily life into their spirituality. This religion is called:A. BuddhismB. AnimismC. JudaismD. Zen

Agenda

• Early African Kingdoms

• Reminders: • Check the website for updates and new guided

readings.

Essential Question

•Why do we know so little about Africa?

East Africa

• The societies of East African participated in the Indian Ocean trade network & were shaped by cultural diffusion:• The kingdom of

Aksum trade withPersia, India, Arabia, & Rome; Aksum became a Christian kingdom

Aksum Church

East Africa• Arab merchants introduced Islam to East African trade cities• The mix of

African & Arab cultures led to a new Swahili language

• Towns had mosques & were ruled by a Muslim sultan

• But many people kept their traditional religious beliefs

What factors shaped the culture of West Africa?

West Africa

•West Africa was were shaped by the trans-Saharan trade network:• West Africans had

large deposits of gold, and traded it for salt

• The gold-salt trade connected North & West Africa

West Africa

• The gold-salt trade increased cultural diffusion with Muslim merchants:• Islam was

introduced in West Africa & slowly gained converts

Introduction

• Three powerful empires developed in African from about ~1000 A.D. – 1500 A.D.• They all developed in the Sahel• The savanna below the Sahara (see map)

• These empires included Ghana, Mali & Songhai

Empire of Ghana

• Around 700 A.D., Ghana became a kingdom in West Africa• Its rulers grew rich by taxing goods that traders

carried through the territory• Salt & gold were the most important trade items• Only kings could own gold nuggets

• Ghana’s king acted as a:• Religious leader• Chief judge• Military leader

Empire of Ghana

• By 1000 A.D., Ghana’s rulers had converted to Islam• Previously, Ghana kings had been animists• Animism = belief that spirits living in animals,

plants & natural forces played an important role in daily life

• Most of the population remained animists• In 1076 A.D. Ghana empire collapsed due to the disruption of trade

Empire of Mali

• 1235 A.D., the Mali Empire developed• Like Ghana, the people of Mali depended on trade

(specifically gold)• Located just to the south/east of where Mali had

been• 1st great leader of Mali was Sundiata• Emperors called mansa• Career began w/ a series of military victories• Ushered in a long period of peace/prosperity• Died in 1255

Sundiata

Empire of Mali

• After Sundiata’s death, many of Mali’s leaders became Muslim•Most famous Muslim leader was Mansa Musa• Doubled the size of the Mali Empire• Went on hajj in 1324• Brought LOTS of gold to Egypt along the way• Caused severe inflation for 10 years

• Built mosques in Timbuktu• Made it an important religious/trading center

Empire of Songhai

• Mali’s empire declined in the 1400s, and the Songhai arose shortly after• Famous leaders• Sunni Ali• Expanded empire• Conquered Timbuktu

• Askia Muhammad (Sunni Ali’s son)• Set up tax system• Chose able officials

• 1591, Moroccans defeated Songhai using guns/cannons

Songhai Empire

Songhai Warriors