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