Africa-Unit D APW

Great Zimbabwe

Kingdom in southeastern Africa that grew wealthy from gold trade and cattle; known for massive stone structures.

Swahili City-States

East African coastal trading cities that connected Africa to the Indian Ocean trade network; blended Bantu and Islamic culture.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade network linking West Africa and North Africa; expanded through camel use across the Sahara.

Camel Saddle

Technology that made long-distance trade across the Sahara possible.

Gold-Salt Trade

Exchange of West African gold for Saharan salt; source of wealth for West African kingdoms.

Mali

West African empire that became wealthy through trans-Saharan trade.

Sundiata Keita

Founder of the Mali Empire.

Mansa Musa

Ruler of Mali famous for his 1324 hajj and immense wealth.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca required of Muslims.

Timbuktu

Major center of trade, Islamic learning, and scholarship in West Africa.

Djinguereber Mosque

Famous mosque in Timbuktu; example of Islamic architecture in West Africa.

Songhay

Largest West African empire; controlled trans-Saharan trade.

Askia Muhammad

Ruler who expanded Songhay and strengthened Islam.

Hausa Kingdoms

Independent trading city-states in present-day Nigeria.

Ethiopia

Christian African kingdom that remained independent from surrounding Muslim states.

Bantu Migration

Spread of Bantu languages, agriculture, and ironworking throughout Africa.

Berbers

North African traders who crossed the Sahara and connected trade networks.

Griots

West African oral historians who preserved traditions and history.

Bananas

Crop spread through Indian Ocean trade that increased agricultural productivity in Africa.

Swahili

Bantu language with many Arabic influences.

Islam in West Africa

Spread through trade and was adopted mainly by rulers, merchants, and urban elites.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia.

Cash Crops

Crops grown primarily for sale and profit rather than consumption.

Sugar

Major cash crop in the Americas that increased demand for enslaved labor.

Cassava (Manioc)

American crop introduced to Africa that increased food supplies and population.

Maize

American crop introduced to Africa through the Columbian Exchange.

Atlantic Slave Trade

Forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas.

Middle Passage

Brutal Atlantic voyage transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Chattel Slavery

System in which enslaved people were treated as property for life.

Coerced Labor

Labor performed through force, including slavery.

Asante

West African kingdom that gained wealth and power through trade and participation in the slave trade.

Kongo

Central African kingdom affected by Portuguese contact and the Atlantic slave trade.

Queen Ana Nzinga

Ruler of Ndongo and Matamba who resisted Portuguese expansion and the slave trade.

Okra

African crop brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans.

Rice

African agricultural knowledge helped make rice cultivation successful in the Americas.

Great Zimbabwe and Trade

Grew wealthy by supplying gold to Indian Ocean trade networks through the Swahili Coast.

Effects of Trans-Saharan Trade

Spread Islam, increased cultural exchange, and led to the rise of powerful West African empires.

Effects of the Columbian Exchange on Africa

Introduced maize and cassava, increasing food supplies and population growth.

Impact of Africans on the Americas

Provided labor and contributed crops, agricultural knowledge, religion, music, and culture.

Impact of Europeans on West Africa

Increased slave trading, strengthened some kingdoms, weakened others, and increased warfare.

Slavery Continuity

Slavery existed in Africa before European arrival.

Slavery Change

Atlantic slave trade expanded slavery and encouraged chattel slavery.

Networks of Exchange Continuity

Trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade networks continued.

Networks of Exchange Change

Atlantic trade became increasingly important after 1450.