An Old World: West Africa and North America

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on West Africa and North America.

Residents had different languages, dialects, and political systems, often living in towns centered on kinship and governed by elders.

What characterized the political systems of residents in West Africa?

Women were responsible for farming and land management.

What was the role of women in West African societies?

The Mali and Benin empires.

Which two large empires ruled parts of West Africa?

Trans-Saharan trade, where Muslim traders from North Africa and the Middle East exchanged goods with West Africa.

What significant trade occurred in West Africa?

Camel caravans carried spices, silks, and cotton in exchange for textiles, gold, and copper.

What did camel caravans transport across the Sahara?

Enslaved people included war captives, criminals, or debtors, and while they had defined rights, slavery was not the basis of the economy.

How did slavery operate in West Africa?

Islam was introduced by North African traders, and native religions were blended with Islam.

What was a notable feature of religion in West Africa?

Five major colonial powers emerged: England, Spain, France, Portugal, and Holland, each with different motivations for colonization.

What was the significance of the Age of Exploration for colonial powers?

Desire for wealth, new trade routes, improved technology, competition between nations, spread of Christianity, and curiosity.

What motivated European countries to explore overseas during the Age of Exploration?

Modern understandings of freedom as personal independence and property ownership were less significant in Native societies, where kinship and community security were more important.

How did Native Americans view freedom compared to Europeans?

Conflict arose when European Christians attempted to convert Native Americans, who had their own inclusive religious practices.

What was the impact of European colonization on Native American religions?

They sought to find a sea route to Asia and took advantage of new sailing techniques.

Why did the Portuguese lead early exploration efforts?

Native American economies were diverse, led by persuasion and reciprocity, with various land systems and economic relations.

What economic relationships existed among Native Americans?