AP African American History

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)

Swahili Coast – Location

Swahili Coast – Trade Significance

Traded gold, ivory, and slaves for spices and textiles through the Indian Ocean network

Swahili Coast – Culture

Blended African, Arab, and Persian influences; language mixed Bantu with Arabic.

Swahili Coast – Historical Significance

Shows Africa was actively engaged in global commerce before European arrival.

Ghana Empire – Dates

300–1200 CE.

Ghana Empire – Economy

Controlled gold-salt trade routes.

Ghana Empire – Political Legacy

Powerful kings established a foundation for later West African empires.

Ghana Empire – Political Legacy

Powerful kings established a foundation for later West African empires.

Ghana Empire – Historical Significance

Demonstrates early wealth and resource control in West Africa that attracted outsiders.

Mali Empire – Dates

1235–1600 CE.

Mali Empire – Famous Leader

Mansa Musa, whose wealth and hajj displayed Africa’s prosperity to the world.

Mali Empire – Learning and Culture

Timbuktu became a center of Islamic scholarship and culture.

Mali Empire – Historical Significance

Challenges stereotypes of Africa by showing advanced governance, religion, and education.

Songhai Empire – Dates

1400s–1591 CE.

Songhai Empire – Government

Askia Muhammad expanded bureaucracy and Islamic law.

Songhai Empire – Military Power

Largest empire in African history, controlling trade and territory.

Songhai Empire – Historical Significance

Reveals Africa’s political sophistication and eventual vulnerability to firearms.

Bantu Migrations – Dates

1000 BCE–1700 CE.

Bantu Migrations – Contributions

Spread agriculture, ironworking, and language across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Bantu Migrations – Cultural Impact

Formed the basis of many modern African cultures and languages.

Bantu Migrations – Historical Significance

One of the largest cultural diffusions in world history, similar to Indo-European migrations.

Aksum – Location and Dates

Ethiopia/Eritrea, 100–940 CE.

Aksum – Religion

King Ezana converted the kingdom to Christianity, making Ethiopia one of the earliest Christian states.

Aksum – Trade Significance

Connected Africa to Rome, Arabia, and India through commerce.

Aksum – Historical Significance

Disproves the stereotype of African isolation by showing global connections.

Nok Civilization – Dates

1000 BCE–300 CE.

Nok Civilization – Technology

First ironworkers in West Africa.

Nok Civilization – Art

Produced terracotta sculptures with stylized human features.

Nok Civilization – Historical Significance

Laid the technological and cultural foundation for later West African empires.

Kongo Kingdom – Dates

14th–19th centuries.

Kongo Kingdom – Government

Centralized monarchy ruled by the Manikongo.

Kongo Kingdom – European Contact

Traded ivory, copper, and slaves with Portuguese.

Kongo Kingdom – Historical Significance

Adopted Christianity and became an early site of European-African interaction, foreshadowing the Atlantic slave trade.

Great Zimbabwe – Dates

1100–1450 CE.

Great Zimbabwe – Architecture

Built massive stone walls and towers without mortar.

Great Zimbabwe – Economy

Wealth came from gold trade with the Swahili Coast.

Great Zimbabwe – Historical Significance

Proves Africans built monumental architecture and complex societies before European contact.