Prompt: Using the following documents, characterize the achievements of the African kingdoms, empires, and cities before the arrival of Europeans. All around the world, from continent to continent, civilizations were annexing by form of expansion into other and further areas of the world during the 1400’s and 1500’s. Some civilizations were successful, and others were not with the addition of other cultures to a preexisting culture already forged in that area. African civilizations flourished greatly before the arrival of Europeans in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Powerful wealthy empires in Africa included Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
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.
Aksum’s location made it an important international trading center. This map shows the trade routes to and from Aksum between 300 and 700. Document 2: Between 700 and 1067, the Kingdom of ancient Ghana rose in power and gained control of the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade. This description of the king’s court in ancient Ghana was written by the Arab scholar, Al-Bakri. “The court of appeal is held in a domed pavilion around which stand ten horses with gold embroidered trappings.
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 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.
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
Not only were he rulers were extremely wealthy but they were also black. “Although the history of this country goes back to the seventh century, it owes its fame to two men – Sundiata Keita and Mansa Musa. Keita transformed the small state into a great empire. Musa, the most celebrated ruler of the ancient Sudan, came to power in 1307 and put together one of the greatest countries of the world. Musa is best known for a pilgrimage he made in Mecca in 1324.
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.
The abundance of this people led to an increase in trade causing mining in gold to increase drastically. Eventually the stable asset to Ghana’s economy changed and gold took this place and much labor was needed for mining this precious metal. More people were then forced into slavery and soon the trading of slaves became vital to the economy as well. In 1230 CE the Mali Empire absorbed the Ghana Empire and in the 15th century joined the slave trade with the British Empire. The one continuity through this change was the selling of gold.
The Gilded Age – from post civil-war to 1910 – was defined by the extravagant displays of wealth and excess of the expanded upper-class. Titans of industry, Flagler and Plant, made their wealth on railroads that then made it possible for them to create their stunning hotels. Railroad access opened Florida to the wealthy Northerners who sought out warmer destinations