AP African American History Unit 1 Terms

Practice flashcards for key terms in AP African American History Unit 1.

African American Studies

An interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the history, culture, contributions, and experiences of African Americans.

Interdisciplinary

Involving two or more academic disciplines or fields of study.

Civil Rights Movement

A social and political movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination.

Historical Interpretations

The analysis and understanding of historical events through various perspectives, theories, and methods.

Primary Documents

Original documents from the time under study, such as letters, diaries, photographs, and official records used for historical evidence.

Diverse Geography

Varied physical features and landscapes within a region, including different ecosystems and natural resources.

Oceans and Seas

Body of saltwater that borders the land, significant in shaping trade and settlement in Africa.

Population Centers

Areas with dense concentrations of people, where economic, social, and cultural activities are concentrated.

Sehel

A region in the Nile River, historically significant for trade and settlement.

Empire Status

Refers to the condition of a political entity that exercises control over extensive territories.

Agriculture

The practice of cultivating crops and raising livestock for food.

CE, BCE

Abbreviations used in historical dating systems; 'CE' stands for 'Common Era' and 'BCE' stands for 'Before Common Era.'

Bantu People

A diverse group of African ethnicities known for their migrations and agricultural practices across sub-Saharan Africa.

Linguistics

The scientific study of language, its structure, history, and variation.

Ethnic Groups

Socially defined categories of people who share cultural, linguistic, or ancestral characteristics.

Race as Concept

The categorization of human beings into distinct groups based on perceived physical characteristics.

South Africa

A country at the southern tip of the African continent.

Egypt

An ancient civilization located in northeastern Africa, influential in world history.

Nubia

An ancient region along the Nile, significant for trade and political power.

Iron Work

The process of smelting iron ore to create tools and weapons.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Dark Continent

An outdated term reflecting misconceptions about Africa and its people.

North Africa

The region of Africa comprising countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

West Africa

A region home to numerous empires and kingdoms, known for trade.

Sudanic Empires

Medieval African empires located in the Sahel and Savannah regions.

Ghana

One of the earliest Sudanic empires in West Africa.

Mali

An empire in West Africa known for its wealth and cultural achievements.

Songhai

One of the largest and most powerful states in African history.

Morocco

A North African country known for its diverse culture and history.

Portuguese Explorers

Navigators from Portugal who explored during the Age of Discovery.

Mansa Musa

A legendary ruler of the Mali Empire known for his wealth and pilgrimage.

Hajj

The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, undertaken by Muslims.

Timbuktu

An ancient city in Mali, a center of Islamic scholarship.

Griots

Traditional West African storytellers and historians.

Islam

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the Quran.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals adopt the customs of another culture.

Spiritual Practices

Rituals and activities performed to cultivate spiritual beliefs.

Louisiana Voodoo

A syncretic religion blending West African beliefs with Catholicism.

Zimbabwe

An ancient kingdom known for its monumental stone structures.

Swahili Coast

The eastern coast of Africa known for trade and cultural exchange.

Kongo

A pre-colonial kingdom in West-Central Africa.

Christianity

A religion emphasizing love and salvation, based on Jesus' teachings.

Europe and Africa

Interactions characterized by trade, colonization, and conflict.

Portuguese Slavery

Involvement of the Portuguese in the capture and forced labor of Africans.

Kongo Nobles

The ruling class within the Kingdom of Kongo.

West and Central Africa

Regions encompassing countries in the western and central parts of Africa.

Queen Idia

A powerful queen mother in the Benin Kingdom known for her military role.

Benin Kingdom

A pre-colonial kingdom known for its political sophistication and artistic achievements.

Guerilla War

A form of unconventional warfare using small, mobile combat units.