Afro Outline

Egypt

Location - Egypt was located along the Nile River, which provided transportation for trade and sharing of ideas, as well as a food source due to the fertile soil brought by floods.

Old Kingdom

Known for pyramids - The Old Kingdom of Egypt was known for its impressive pyramids.

Middle Kingdom

Known for trade - The Middle Kingdom of Egypt was known for its flourishing trade.

New Kingdom

Known for empires and Valley of the Kings - The New Kingdom of Egypt was known for its powerful empires and the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were buried.

Hieroglyphics

First writing system - Hieroglyphics were the first writing system developed by the ancient Egyptians.

King Tut

Famous for unopened tomb - King Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, became famous because his tomb was discovered intact and unopened.

Ramses II

Successful military leader - Ramses II was a successful military leader and is speculated to be the Pharaoh in the Exodus story from the Bible.

Hatshepsut

First female Pharaoh - Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh of Egypt and a great leader.

Menes

First Pharaoh - Menes was the first Pharaoh of Egypt.

Mali

Wealth - Mali gained its wealth from the salt and gold trade across its borders.

Mansa Musa

Accidentally crashed economies - Mansa Musa, the King of Mali, accidentally crashed the economies of numerous cities during his Hajj to Mecca by giving away tons of gold.

Swahili Coast

Dominated trade in the Indian Ocean - The Swahili Coast, located on the eastern coast of Africa, dominated trade throughout the Indian Ocean.

Swahili language

Mixture of Mantu and Arabic - The language spoken on the Swahili Coast was a mix of Mantu and Arabic, which allowed for establishing trade relationships with other continents.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

Started with Columbus and sugar plantations - The transatlantic slave trade began with Christopher Columbus's search for gold, which led to the establishment of sugar plantations.

Middle Passage

Treacherous journey for slaves - The Middle Passage was the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean that enslaved Africans endured, with a high death toll due to diseases, violence, and suicide.

Profitability and racism

Reasons for slavery - The transatlantic slave trade was highly profitable for slave traders, and racism was used as an excuse to justify slavery.

Slave categories

New Africans, old Africans, and creoles - Slaves were categorized as new Africans (recently arrived and not seasoned), old Africans (seasoned), and creoles (American-born and seasoned).

Impact of African Americans in the Revolutionary War

African Americans fought for both the Patriots and the British during the Revolutionary War.

Declaration of Independence

Brought hope to African Americans - The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, brought hope to African Americans as free blacks believed it meant equality and slaves believed it meant freedom.

US Constitution

Slavery addressed indirectly - The US Constitution did not outlaw slavery but addressed it indirectly, including provisions such as the 3/5 compromise and the possibility of outlawing the slave trade in 20 years.

African American life in slavery

Work, culture, and attempts at freedom - Slavery for African Americans in the USA involved harsh work conditions, the preservation of their culture, and various attempts to gain freedom.