The wealth of these societies is also clearly stated through Ghana where traders had to pass (doc.3). The coastal city, Kilwa, delighted in wealth because of the trade with ships (doc.8). Because Aksum was at the center of trade in Africa, merchants and other traders traveled through trade routes and traded at Aksum. Throughout the years 325 and 360, Aksum became an important and wealthy city in Africa. Because of the trade that was occurring, the city prospered and became very successful.
The one continuity through this change was the selling of gold. West Sub-Saharan Africa had always relied on gold for trade and it was so abundant and valuable that it could rely on it solely. One could say that this also led to the marketing of slaves to the Mediterranean. With so much gold the Ghana and Mali Empire did not have to seek some other form of wealth, even if it required less labor. Agriculture was another continuty because it remained a huge part of the economy, even with expansion and advances in iron working.
Africa experienced growth and change in their political organization and the rise and fall of kingdoms and states Before the syncretic cults, Africa's old traditions and beliefs surrounded deities, idols, and multiple gods. These god symbolized the world around them. Then, when Christianity and Islam came over to Sub-Saharan Africa, there was intermixing with the traditions and foreign religions. Christianity became popular with
Alex Belluccia 5/1/11 Mr. Z S.S. / 7 Before the arrival of Europeans in Africa, during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Africans had already developed advanced civilizations. Beginning with the kingdom of Axum, African kingdoms and empires have arose and declined throughout history. Kingdoms throughout Africa have made a lot of money trough trade. This allowed for some centers of advanced civilizations to develop, such as Axum, Ghana, and Mali, allowing these empires to accomplish many sophisticated accomplishments. Axum, located along the eastern coast of Africa, developed into an advanced society, and achieved many sophisticated achievements.
Islam continued to grow. Eventually, Mansa Musa (Mali’s ruler) declared that the Islam religion would be their official religion. In conclusion, Islam impacted West Africa greatly by increasing trade, blending cultures, and changing government structures. In the time period of 1000 C.E. to 1750 C.E., several Islamic states rose and
Africa contained a great number of natural rescources valuable to Europe such as: cotton, palm oil, rubber, ivory, gum, peanuts, bananas, coffee, cocoa, zinc, lead, coal, and copper. These valuable raw materials were used to create products that Europe could export and trade for a huge profit. These products included: fabrics, soaps, candles, tires, drugs, food products, electrical wiring, electrical insulation, rope and twine, jewelry, and many others. The invasion of Africa yielded many valuable economic advancements, and created a logical reason for Europe to invade. European imperialism in Africa was partly due to rivalries between the different European countries involved, with Britain, Germany and France the dominant powers.
AFRICA BEFORE EUROPEAN ARRIVAL DBQ Historical Context Africans had developed advanced civilizations before the Europeans arrived in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Beginning with Aksum (Ethiopia today) in East Africa in the 300’s, the kingdoms, empires, and cities arose and declined. In west Africa, three empires- Ghana, Mali, and Songhai- controlled the gold and salt trade. Between 1000 and 1500, cities on Africa’s east coast also gained wealth and power through trade. There were several centers of advanced civilization in Africa between 300 and 1400.
Of the numerous empires that developed and disappeared on the African continent, Mali was one of the first south of the Sahara to capture the attention of both the Islamic and European worlds. Mali also illustrates the range and diversity of historical sources, written and nonwritten, that may be brought to bear on the reconstruction of empires. Mali is an example of an empire that used culture, ideology, and language (Mande) to dominate an expanding territory. The grassland and semiarid region included virtually all of what was known as the savanna, or “Sudan,” and the Sahel, from the Sahara’s edge to the forest’s edge in West Africa. The empire’s manipulation of technology (iron and horses) and ecology (beneficial climatic shifts) emphasizes two of the possible means by which smaller polities may be integrated into the structure of a larger empire.
Africa to 1500 Diversity and Development Axum (Aksum)- Important trading nation of northeast Africa, existing from 100-940 AD. Grew during the iron age and was a major factor in the exchange of commerce between the Roman empire and ancient India. Ghana- Bordered by present day Mauritania, Mali and Senegal, the landscape of medieval Ghana was abundant in natural resources (ex: gold). As a result of this; this region of western Africa was able to experience years of prosperous trade, establishing and sustaining a very wealthy empire. Mali- Renowned for the wealth of its rulers, ancient Mali covered a large area and consisted of numerous vassal kingdoms and provinces.
This would mark the start of problems between mother countries and their colonies. Western Europe covers a vast amount of countries and their cultures. They were able to send out and receive many cultural changing products. Africa was a major tool as a port and mine within international trade. In 1505, Portugal established trade posts in East Africa.