State Building in Africa (1.5) AP World

What were the main forces driving state building in Africa c.1200–1450?

Trade, agriculture, religion (Islam & Christianity), and population growth

How were African states similar to those in Eurasia & the Americas?

They showed continuity, innovation, and diversity and expanded in scope through trade & cultural exchange

What were the Bantu migrations (2000 BCE–1000 CE)?

Movement of Bantu-speaking peoples spreading agriculture, ironworking, and language across Sub-Saharan Africa

Which new crop boosted African agriculture around 500 CE?

Bananas (introduced from Southeast Asia)

How did kin-based societies work?

Organized around families/clans, with chiefs mediating disputes; decentralized and stateless

Why did kin-based societies decline?

Population growth & competition for resources led to conflict and the rise of chiefdoms/kingdoms

Where were the Hausa Kingdoms located?

Present-day northern Nigeria at the Niger-Benue river junction

What kind of political system did the Hausa Kingdoms have?

Decentralized; 7 independent states linked by kinship (no central authority)

When and how did Islam reach the Hausa states?

In the 14th century via missionaries & traders from Mali

How did the Hausa Kingdoms benefit economically?

Through the Trans-Saharan trade routes (gold, salt, slaves)

What does “Zimbabwe” mean?

“Stone dwelling” (Bantu)

When did Great Zimbabwe flourish?

11th–15th centuries CE

What was the economic foundation of Great Zimbabwe?

Gold trade, agriculture, and cattle grazing

Which trade network was Great Zimbabwe connected to?

The Indian Ocean trade, via Swahili Coast cities (Kilwa, Mombasa, Mogadishu)

Describe Great Zimbabwe’s capital.

Massive stone walls (30 ft high, 15 ft thick), population around 20,000

Why was Great Zimbabwe abandoned in the 15th century?

Likely due to trade route shifts and political instability

What was the Kingdom of Aksum (Axum)?

A Christian kingdom (1st–10th c. CE) that prospered from Red Sea trade

What were Aksum’s key innovations?

Written language, coins, terrace farming, and water management systems

What weakened Aksum?

Islamic incursions (7th–10th c.)

What dynasty rose in Ethiopia in the 13th century?

The Solomonic dynasty (Ethiopian Empire/Abyssinia)

How was Ethiopia’s Christianity unique?

It developed independently, cut off from Europe, and surrounded by Muslim states

What is Ethiopia’s famous architectural achievement?

Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela (11 carved into solid rock)

What are the three main African states to know for AP World (1200–1450)?

Hausa Kingdoms, Great Zimbabwe, Ethiopia

What two major themes shaped African state-building?

Trade (gold, salt, Indian Ocean) and religion (Islam, Christianity)