Era 1, 1200 CE to 1450 CE: Mali + Advanced African Civilizations (Quizlet #2)

Era 1 Overview, 1200-1450 CE

-Era 1 from 1200 - 1450 CE saw a rise in several important Land-Based Empires, as well as a huge increase in trade and travel;

-CRITICAL ERA 1 EMPIRES TO KNOW:

-Song Dynasty in China/East Asia

-Mayans, Incans, and Aztecs in the Americas

-The disintegration of the Abbasid Caliphate into several smaller Turkic empires in the Middle East/South Asia

-The Islamic Delhi Sultanate in South Asia

-Kingdom of Zimbabwe, Mali Empire in Africa

-Feudalism and decentralization (no empire) in Western Europe

-The Mongol Empire in Asia/Middle East; they come in at the end and knock many empires down!

TRADE also massive. BIG FOUR ERA 1TRADE NETWORKS TO KNOW:

-Silk Roads in Eurasia/Middle East

-Trans-Saharan Routes in Africa

-Indian Ocean Basin trade

-Mediterranean Sea Trade

-The Black Plague, Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, also major terms!

Spread of Islam to Africa and Asia 1200-1450 CE

-During Era 1, 1200 CE to 1450 CE, there was a massive explosion of trade and travel along the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Sea Lanes, Trans Saharan Caravan Routes, and Mediterranean Sea trade

-Diasporic (spread) communities of Islam spread throughout Africa and Asia

-Islam really took off in South Asia, where the Delhi Sultanates and later the Mughal Empire would spread Islam

-Islam also really took off in North Africa, where Egypt became a strong center for Islam.

-Islam also spread to West Africa across the Trans Saharan Caravan route. The city of Timbuktu, major city of the Mali Empire, became a major Islamic center of learning and faith

-Islam also spread to East Africa as well, making it's way to Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Zimbabwe and Great Zimbabwe, along with the Mali Empire

-Islam was much more successful in spreading than Christianity, as there were only two Christian Kingdoms (Ethiopia and Kongo) whereas there many Islamic kingdoms and city-states

Mali Empire 1235 - 1670 CE

-Major West African Empire founded by Sundiata ("Epic of Sundiata" tells his story!)

-Major trading Empire with city of Timbuktu located on the southern edge of the Sahara desert on the Trans Saharan caravan routes; one of the first major cities you would hit after crossing the desert into Sub Saharan Africa

-this kingdom became immensely wealthy on a trade of gold, salt, ivory, and other precious goods

-The kingdom also traded enslaved persons [slaves]

-religion also spread across the Trans Saharan Caravan routes and Timbuktu and the Mali Empire became major centers of Islam

-Mansa Musa was their most famed ruler; he conquered 24 neighboring cities and and grew wildly wealthy from the gold trade. He is considered one of the wealthiest individuals in the history of the world

-The great world traveller and Islamic judge Ibn Battuta visited Mali and Timbuktu in 1352 CE

-Timbuktu remains a Major trading city in West Africa from 1200 CE to Present, an Islamic center throughout

-The empire collapsed when its military weakened and they were defeated by the Songhai, who knocked over the Mali Empire and started another Islamic Empire, th Songhai Empire

-Dates Required for full credit

Sundiata

-the founder of Mali empire. He crushed his enemies and won control of the gold trade routes in West Africa

-The Mali Empire had its trade center at Timbuktu, one of the first cities you hit after crossing the Sahara desert into Sub Saharan Africa

-Sundiata established the Islamic Mali Empire, which would rise to tremendous power and wealth with the trade in gold, enslaved persons [slaves], ivory, and more going across the Trans Saharan Caravan routes

-The "Epic of Sundiata" was an epic song/story that told his story told by Griots, the legendary African storytellers

-His great grand nephew, Mansa Musa, would expand the empire by conquering 24 cities and building a massive fortune in the gold trade

The Epic of Sundiata 1300's CE

- _________________ was called the "lion prince," the founder of the Mali Empire in W. Africa

-There was a famous story in West Africa about the "Lion Prince" and how he had founded the empire; told by GRIOTS, West African storytellers and historians

-This story was told verbally by African Griot storytellers/historians for generations from the 1300's until it was written down by French authors in the 1900's

-___________________ was a Muslim ruler

-This term is the name of the story that was famously told and spread for hundreds of years; this story carried the ruler's name

Mansa Musa

-most famous Mansa or King of the Mali Empire

-Conquered 24 neighboring cities and built a massive fortune in the gold trade as Mali became one of the largest producers of gold in the world

-Was a major Islamic figure who built many mosques in cities like Timbuktu

-Made a pilgrimage to Mecca and gave out much gold to along the way; this also helped to establish important trade routes. Supposedly his trip included 60,000 people and 12,000 enslaved persons [slaves]. His gifts of gold to the poor and to mosques made him famous throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

-Founded the Islamic University Sankore Madrasah, the University of Sankore, one of the oldest universities in the world

-Also called "The Lion of Mali," now considered one of the wealthiest people in the history of the world, right up there with John D. Rockefeller and many others

Timbuktu

-Massive trading city in Africa in the Empire of Mali; really important for Trans-Saharan trade from 1000 CE to 1450 CE. May have been capital city of Mali for a period of time

-Was a big part of the Trans-Saharan trade, as it was one of the first big cities you would hit after you crossed the Sahara Desert

-Became a major Islamic center of Islamic learning, home to the University of Sankore

-Camels and caravans would be stopping there all the time, trading gold, salt, ivory, exotic animals, etc.

-Enslaved persons were also sold here

-When Mansa Musa returned from his hajj (journey to Mecca) he brought Arabic architects with him and they constructed grand palaces, hospitals, and schools in the city

University of Sankore

-One of the earliest universities in the world, located in Timbuktu, the great trading city of the Mali Empire

-Timbuktu was located on the other side of the Trans Saharan caravan routes and was a critical trading city for gold, salt, ivory, and other goods.

-Islam also spread across the Trans Saharan routes and Mali, and this university was strongly Islamic

-This university was founded by the great Mali ruler, Mansa Musa

-The University was capable of housing 25,000 students and had one of the largest libraries in the world at the time, housing over 1,000,000 manuscripts

-Demonstrates the brilliance of the African people

The Great Assembly of Mali

-ruling body of the Mali Empire

-Consisted of roughly 30 representatives of the most powerful tribes/groups to make up the Mali Empire

-Their major political structure they used to organize the empire

-The King or Mansa held power over everyone, but he did have to listen to the Great Assembly, who could make many important decisions

-Would meet regularly and especially if the empire was threatened

-Kings like Sundiata and Mansa Musa would use this structure very effectively to govern the kingdom of Mali

The Twelve Doors of Mali

-Twelve tribes in Mali that were conquered by Sundiata and swore allegiance to him and his empire

-the twelve kings put their spears in the ground and swore allegiance to the King/Mansa

-These kings then became regional rulers and ruled over their own region, paying tribute to the Mali Empire

-Part of the political structure of the Mali Empire. Kings like Sundiata and Mansa Musa would use this structure very effectively to govern the kingdom

Spread of Christianity to Africa and Asia 1200 CE-1450 CE

-During Era 1, 1200 CE to 1450 CE, there was a massive explosion of trade and travel along the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Sea Lanes, Trans Saharan Caravan Routes, and Mediterranean Sea trade

-Along with goods and technology, ideas and religions also spread

-Diasporic (spread) communities of Christians spread throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

-In certain societies, especially Islamic empires in the Middle East and India, Christians had to pay a "Jizya" tax, or pay extra money to live in "millet" communities

-merchants who lived abroad in China and Africa also helped to spread Christianity.

-Ethiopia in East Africa became one of the first major Christian Regions in Africa by the 1200's

-Christianity did gain followers in China and Japan as well

-Later in the 1400's Portuguese Missionaries would have success spreading Christianity to the Kongo, where King Affonso and Queen Nzinga would convert to Christianity before the area became the Colony of Angola

-Dona Beatriz, in the 1700's, would lead the Antonian Movement and claim that Jesus was black and that Heaven was only for black Africans!

Solomonic Dynasty in Ethiopia 1262 CE-1975 CE

-Christianity spread through trade to East Africa

-Ethiopia became a Christian Kingdom in East Africa with the start of the Solomonic Dynasty

-The Solomonic Dynasty was a string of Ethiopian rulers who claimed descent from the David in an attempt to add biblical authority to their rule. David was a famous King in the Christian Bible.

-it helped to add authority to their rule to claim they were the family members of David

-Ethiopia would remain with a large Christian population from 1262 CE to Present CE. Rulers from this line would continue to rule Ethiopia for almost 700 years

-Ethiopian Kings would cite Christianity as a reason why Ethiopia should be left independent during the Scramble for Africa in the late 1800's

-Over 40 million Ethiopians today are still Christian; it was the only one of two areas in Africa to remain Christian after the spread of Islam

Christianity in Ethiopia

Christianity spread through trade routes to East Africa

-Ethiopia became a Christian Kingdom in East Africa with the start of the Solomonic Dynasty

-The Solomonic Dynasty was a string of Ethiopian rulers who claimed descent from David in an attempt to add biblical authority to their rule. David was a famous King in the Christian Bible.

-it helped to add authority to their rule to claim they were the family members of David

-Ethiopia would remain with a large Christian population from 1262 CE to Present CE. Rulers from this line would continue to rule Ethiopia for almost 700 years and would cite the fact that they were descended from David, a figure in the Christian Bible.

-Ethiopian Kings would cite Christianity as a reason why Ethiopia should be left independent during the Scramble for Africa in the late 1800's

-Over 40 million Ethiopians today are still Christian; it was the only one of two areas in Africa to remain Christian after the spread of Islam

-This term is not the name of the Solomonic Dynasty in Ethiopia; this term focuses on the religion in Ethiopia during the time

Trans-Saharan Trade 700 CE-1600 CE

There was tons of important trade across this desert in Africa. Use of the CAMEL was huge. This also helped Islam and religion spread. Goods being traded included:

-Gold and Salt

-Cotton and textiles (cloth)

-There was also a lot of West Africans being captured and sold into slavery, and enslaved persons [slaves] were transported along these routes

Trade went from the Mediterranean Sea to the kingdoms below the desert, of Ghana and Songhay. (note this is a little later, in 1000 CE or so).

In the Trans-Saharan Trade, the camel was critical for helping transport goods across the desert. They could make it across the desert because they could go so long without water!

Gold and Salt Trade

Two of the major goods traded across the Trans Saharan Caravan routes.

Muslim merchants from North Africa flocked on camels to the kingdom of Ghana and Mali to try and get ______________ to bring back to the Mediterranean.

-Mali and the city of Timbuktu were also major centers of trade for these valuable trade goods

-Malian Kings like Mansa Musa became immensely wealthy from trade in these two materials

Ghana

-This was the most important place for the Gold Trade in West Africa, along with Mali. Merchants from North Africa came here on camels in the Trans Saharan trade to get their gold.

-Eventually parts of Ghana became Islamic as Islam spread along the trade routes.

-Crucial stop south of the Sahara desert as part of the Trans-Saharan trade

-Later, the Ashanti tribe would rise as a power in the late 1600's. They would resist the British during the Scramble for Africa, eventually falling to British rule.

-Prior to British rule, was known for its wealth, and gold was the most valuable commodity. Tribal rulers would sit on a Golden Stool as a symbol of their power, and Ghanaians would wear rich jewelry and gold to show their status

Kilwa 1300 CE-1500 CE

-Massive trading city in Swahili city states on East Coast of Africa

-Part of the Indian Ocean Basin Trading Region

-Peaked from 1300 CE to 1500 CE

-Traded away gold and participated in slave trade, enslaved persons being sold out of this city

-Received Chinese Porcelain, silks, Indian spices and Indian Cloth

-Letter "A" on the map image!

Kingdom of Zimbabwe 1100 CE-1430 CE

-Massive trading kingdom on East Coast of Africa

-A Swahili City State in EAST Africa, founded by the Bantu-speaking Shona tribe; had over 150 tributary states or towns that paid them taxes and tribute

-Monarchy, with powerful rulers ruling from the capital city of Masvingo, aka the Great Zimbabwe

-Lots of trade in the Indian Ocean Basin and with Trans Sharan Caravan routes. Active trade with the Delhi Sultanate in India, Abbasids and Ottomans in Persia, and Song Dynasty in China;

-Exported (sending out in trade) gold, exotic animals, and ivory (elephant tusks) from the interior of Africa

-Enslaved persons were also exported [sent out] of this region

-Imported (brought in) spices, diamonds, precious metals, textiles (cloth) and more

-Knocked down by African invaders in 1430 CE, taken down by the rise of Prince Mutapa

-Powerful from 1100 CE to 1430 CE

Great Zimbabwe

-Ancient capital city of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe

-Huge center for trade in East Africa; connected to the East African coast, and then to the Indian Ocean and Silk Roads trade

-Arguably the largest stone city in Sub Saharan Africa before 1450 CE

-Massive stone structures and religious temples

-Included a royal palace for the ruling family

-Beautiful city also displayed advanced architectural techniques

-abandoned after invasion of Mutapa and fall of Zimbabwe in 1430 CE

Trade Goods in the Kingdom of Zimbabwe

-Lots of trade in the Indian Ocean Basin and with Trans Sharan Caravan routes. Active trade with the Delhi Sultanate in India, Abbasids and Ottomans in Persia, and Song Dynasty in China;

-Exported (sending out in trade) gold, exotic animals, and ivory (elephant tusks) from the interior of Africa

-Enslaved persons were also exported [sent out] of this region

-Imported (brought in) spices, diamonds, precious metals, textiles from India

-Textiles, salt, gold from the Trans Saharan Caravan routes and the Abbasid Caliphate and Ottoman Empire

Fall of Zimbabwe 1430 CE

-The Kingdom of Zimbabwe was a massive kingdom with over 150 tributary states

-The capital city of Great Zimbabwe was a massive trading center in East Africa that traded well with the Delhi Sultanate in India, Abbasid Caliphate in the Middle East, and the Song Dynasty in China

-As the 1400's developed, a nearby tribe, the Mutapa, rose to great power and prominence. They moved into the area of Zimbabwe searching for salt, and their leader named Mutota knocked down Zimbabwe, and the city of Great Zimbabwe was abandoned

The Bantu Migrations in Africa

-the Bantu were eager to move around and spread throughout Africa

-As they moved around, they brought with them Agriculture and Iron tools

-As they spread, their agricultural practices diffused. These practices including irrigation and using iron tools to clear forests, create fields, and using iron to plow fields. This had a big environmental impact, as forests around Africa were cut down and turned into fields and rivers were used for irrigation

-As they moved, the original Bantu language spread and became the root for over 500 languages

-Today over 90 million people speak Bantu languages, including Swahili in Central and East Africa

Diffusion of Bantu Agriculture

-The Bantu were able to make iron tools through iron metallurgy, and used them to clear forests and make farming tools

-Because of this they were excellent farmers and their practices diffused and spread with them

-Yams, bananas, and grains were three of their main products they made while farming

-As the Bantus spread around Africa, they brought Bananas and yams along with them.

-These plants had big impacts on demographics [population size] as they diffused [spread] because they increased calories and health, which led to the increase of population throughout Africa

-This diffusion also had a big environmental impact, as forests around Africa were turned into fields and rivers were used for irrigation

Bantu Pastoralism- Cattle and Sheep

-As the Bantus migrated and spread through Africa, they were a pastoral people, meaning they herded domesticated (tame) animals such as goats and cattle [cows] as they migrated.

-Pastoral people like the Bantu used domesticated animals for sources of food and for labor in agriculture

-the Bantu brought _______________and _____________with them throughout Africa as they migrated

-These domesticated animals also had a big environmental impact. When they were introduced to new areas, they began eating lots of plants, and taking food from other native species

Bantu Environmental Impact

-As the Bantus migrated and Iron and Agriculture with them, it had a huge impact on the land in the places they went

-they cleared forests, diverted water for irrigation, and used their iron tools to plow the earth.

-As they spread, their agricultural practices diffused. These practices including irrigation and using iron tools to clear forests, create fields, and using iron to plow fields. This had a big environmental impact, as forests around Africa were turned into fields and rivers were used for irrigation

-The Bantus, a pastoral people, also brought new animals like cattle and goats with them to parts of Africa. As a result, these animals ate lots of plants, changing the environment in Africa. They also competed with and took resources from native animal species that might eat those plants

Diffusion of Bantu Languages-Swahili

The Bantus were a migratory, pastoral people who migrated throughout Africa and brought with them agriculture, iron metallurgy, and languages

-As they moved, the original Bantu language spread and became the root for over 500 languages

-Today over 90 million people speak Bantu languages, including Swahili in Central and East Africa