AP African American Studies Ultimate Guide

African American Studies

An interdisciplinary field focusing on the history, culture, and politics of people of African descent in the U.S. and the African diaspora, challenging misconceptions about Africa's history.

Black Campus Movement (1965-1972)

A period marked by protests at colleges nationwide, advocating for culturally relevant education and support for Black students, faculty, and administrators.

Climate Zones in Africa

The five primary climate zones in Africa, including desert, semiarid, savanna, rainforest, and Mediterranean, influencing the continent's diversity and trade opportunities.

Bantu Expansion

The migration of Bantu-speaking peoples throughout Africa from 1500 BCE to 500 CE, spreading Bantu languages and culture, contributing to the ethnolinguistic diversity of the continent.

Aksumite Empire

An ancient African state in present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia, known for adopting Christianity independently and developing its own currency and script.

Sudanic Empires

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, flourishing from the 7th to the 16th century, renowned for gold mines, trade routes, and the spread of Islam in West Africa.

Mansa Musa

The influential ruler of the Mali Empire, known for his wealth, hajj to Mecca, and promotion of trade, learning, and cultural exchange in Mali.

Ancient Ghana

Located in present-day Mauritania and Mali, not in present-day Republic of Ghana; known for cultural exchange, diverse environment, and trade with partners like Rome and Arabs.

Trade in Ancient Ghana

Involved camels traveling long distances across the Sahara; imported silk, cotton, glass, horses, and salt, while exporting pepper, slaves, and gold.

Empire of Mali

Formed in 1235 by Mandinka people led by Sundiata; politically and economically similar to Ghana but larger and wealthier due to control of gold mines.

Griots

Prestigious historians, storytellers, and musicians in West African empires who passed down oral traditions and preserved community history.

Syncretism in West Africa

Blending of Islam and Christianity with indigenous spiritual beliefs; prevalent in savanna regions and among African diasporic religions.

Great Zimbabwe

Flourished in Southern Africa from 12th to 15th century; known for large stone architecture, trade, and agricultural advancements of the Shona kings.

Swahili Coast

Stretches from Somalia to Mozambique; united by Swahili language and Islam, known for trade with Arab, Persian, Indian, and Chinese communities.

Kingdom of Kongo

West Central African kingdom voluntarily converted to Roman Catholicism in 1491; participated in the transatlantic slave trade and became a major source of enslaved people.

African Diasporic Religions

Include practices like Vodun, Regla de Ocha-Ifa, and Osain del Monte; syncretic faiths blending African spiritual beliefs with Christianity and other traditions.

Matrilineal Society

Social system where social rank and property are passed through females, common in early West and Central African societies.

Queen Njinga

17th-century queen of Ndongo and Matamba (present-day Angola), known for leading armies and resisting Portuguese colonization.

Queen Idia

16th-century queen mother in the Kingdom of Benin (present-day Nigeria), symbolizing Black women's leadership and diplomacy.

Departure Zones

Regions in Africa where enslaved people were captured and sold into the transatlantic slave trade, such as Senegambia and Angola.

Middle Passage

Second part of the slave trade journey where Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean, enduring harsh conditions.

Slave Narratives

Accounts of enslaved individuals' experiences, serving as historical records, literary works, and political texts to end slavery.

Slave Auctions

Events where enslaved individuals were sold as commodities, reinforcing white supremacy and causing physical and emotional trauma.

Partus Sequitur Ventrem

Legal principle determining a child's status based on the mother's, leading to hereditary racial slavery in the United States.

Creole Language

A language combining elements from West African and European languages, like Gullah, to facilitate communication across different languages.

Musical Elements

Incorporating Christian hymns, African rhythmic elements, clapping, improvisation, and syncopation in music.

Stono Rebellion

A significant slave rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, leading to the implementation of the slave code in 1740.

Maroon Societies

Autonomous Black communities that emerged throughout the African diaspora, advocating for freedom and preserving African culture.

Underground Railroad

A network of abolitionists aiding African Americans in escaping slavery by providing shelter, transportation, and resources.

Gender Resistance

Methods of resistance against sexual violence, focusing on fighting attackers, infanticide, and running away.

Emancipation Proclamation

Declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states in 1863, leading to the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery.

Reconstruction Amendments

13th Amendment abolished slavery, 14th defined birthright citizenship, and 15th prohibited denying voting rights based on race.

Freedmen's Bureau

Established to assist formerly enslaved individuals in becoming citizens, providing aid, legalizing marriages, and establishing schools.

Effect of Black Codes

State governments established Black codes in 1865-1866 to restrict legal rights and control movement and labor.

Sharecropping

Landowners gave land and equipment to formerly enslaved individuals in exchange for a large share of crops, preventing economic advancement.

Convict Leasing

Southern prisons profited by leasing African American male prisoners to landowners and companies, resembling harsh conditions of slavery.

Dismantling of Reconstruction-era Reforms

State constitutions included de jure segregation laws post-1876 election, suppressing Black voting through various methods.

Double Consciousness

Concept reflecting the struggle of subordinated groups in an oppressive society, examining unequal realities of American life.

Booker T

Advocated for industrial education, economic advancement, and independence, emphasizing training before political rights.

Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs)

Provided support for self-improvement, educational excellence, leadership, and community service.

Harlem Renaissance

Cultural revolution in the 1920s and 1930s that brought about a flourishing of Black literary, artistic, and intellectual life in the United States.

Contradictory Views on Emigration

Differing opinions within the African American community regarding celebrating independence while also acknowledging racial exploitation.

Frederick Douglass

A prominent abolitionist figure who advocated for freedom, representation, and racial equality but was not immune to the risk of being recaptured.

Resistance to Segregation

The opposition to the practice of segregating African Americans in public schools and the struggle for equality and justice in American race relations.

Modern Ku Klux Klan

The contemporary presence of white citizens' councils resembling the historical Ku Klux Klan, contributing to racial tensions in the United States.

Black Women's Leadership Challenges

The obstacles faced by black women in leadership roles within the Civil Rights Movement, including being overlooked for decision-making positions and facing gender discrimination.

Empowerment through Leadership

The process of empowering black women to take on leadership roles and challenge gender biases within civil rights organizations.