AP African American Studies - Unit 1 (Topics 1.1-1.5) Identification Terms & Important Dates

Vocabulary and chronological flashcards covering Unit 1 Topics 1.1 through 1.5 of AP African American Studies.

Black Studies / African American Studies

An academic discipline focused on studying the history, culture, experiences, and features that characterize African-descended populations.

Diaspora

The dispersion or movement of African people and their descendants across various regions of the world outside of their ancestral homeland.

Desert Climate Zone

An African climate zone characterized by extremely arid conditions, exemplified by the Sahara desert.

Semiarid Climate Zone

A transitional African climate zone characterized by light rainfall, exemplified by the Sahel region.

Savanna grasslands

An African climate zone featuring open grassy plains with scattered trees.

Tropical rainforests

An African climate zone characterized by dense vegetation and high annual rainfall.

Mediterranean zone

An African climate zone found on the northern and southern tips of the continent, featuring mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers.

Major Rivers in Africa

The primary river systems of Africa, including the Niger, Congo, Zambezi, Orange, and Nile rivers.

Seas and Oceans Bordering Africa

The bodies of water surrounding Africa: the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean.

Major Deserts in Africa

The principal desert regions in Africa: the Sahara, Kalahari, and Namib deserts.

Nubia (Kush/Cush)

A large-scale society/empire that emerged around 3000 BCE and conquered Egypt in 750 BCE, establishing the reign of Black pharaohs.

Aksum

A large-scale trading kingdom in East Africa that rose to power around 100 CE.

Nok

A culture in West Africa whose people practiced iron technology around 500 BCE.

Early West African Empires (Sudanic/Sahelian)

The prominent early empires of West Africa, including Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and Benin.

Bantu migrations and expansion

A movement starting around 3500 B.C.E. that spread Bantu-speaking people, cultural practices, and languages such as Swahili across sub-Saharan Africa.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Trade networks crossing the Sahara Desert between West Africa, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, established around 500 BCE.

Catalan Atlas “Map of the World” (1375)

A 1375 medieval map that famously depicted West Africa and featured ruler Mansa Musa.

Mansa Musa

The ruler of the Mali Empire who made a famous pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca in 1324 CE.

Timbuktu

A major West African city that served as a center of trade, culture, and Islamic scholarship.

Sankore Mosque

A historic center of learning and place of worship located in Timbuktu.

Muslim Faith

The religion of Islam that spread throughout regions of Africa, influencing trade, culture, and governance.

3500 B.C.E.

The year marking the beginning of the Bantu expansion.

3000 BCE

The era when pharaohs began ruling Egypt, and the kingdom of Nubia or Kush emerged.

750 BCE

The year Nubia / Kush conquered Egypt and established the reign of Black pharaohs.

500 BCE

The era when Nok people practiced iron technology and trans-Saharan trade began between West Africa, North Africa, and the Mediterranean.

100 CE

The era when the Aksum kingdom rose to power as a major trading kingdom in East Africa.

830 – 1230 CE

The period during which the Ghana Empire ruled over western and central Africa.

1230 – 1500 CE

The period during which the Mali Empire ruled over western and central Africa.

1324 CE

The year Mansa Musa made his pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.

1460 – 1650 CE

The period during which the Songhay empire replaced Mali as the most powerful empire in western Africa.