Africa Before European Arrival Dbq Essays and Term Papers

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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. Directions The following topic is based on the accompanying documents. When you write your essay, be sure to include: - An acceptable thesis - A demonstration of understanding of all documents - Appropriate evidence from all documents that supports the thesis - An analysis of the point of view of at least two documents - At least two groupings of the documents - An additional document or source Essay Topic Discuss and evaluate the achievements of the people of Africa before the arrival of the Europeans. Document 1: Aksum reached its height between 325 and 360. 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. Behind the king stand ten pages holding shields and swords decorated with gold, and on his right are the sons of the subordinate kings of his country, all wearing splendid garments and with
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