African American Studies - Introduction and West Africa History

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on African American Studies, West Africa histories, and the transatlantic slave trade.

What time span and topics does the African American Studies course cover?

From the slave economy to the civil rights movement, and from blues to hip-hop, focusing on history, politics, culture, and economics of African Americans.

Why is it important to study African American history and heritage, according to the notes?

To counter narratives that Africa was primitive and backward, and to understand how ideas of race and inferiority were used to justify slavery, discrimination, and segregation.

Name the three West African civilizations that developed along the coast prior to Portuguese exploration.

Ancient Ghana, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire.

When did Ancient Ghana gain prominence and where was it located?

500 AD to 1250 AD, in the southern Sahel north of the Niger and middle Senegal Rivers.

List key advancements of Ancient Ghana.

Civil service, a matrilineal monarchy, a cabinet, an army, an effective justice system, and regular income from trade.

Which empire expanded after Ancient Ghana’s decline and along the Niger River, leading to greater diversity?

The Mali Empire.

What were the main commercial centers of the Mali Empire?

Niani, Timbuktu, and Gao.

Who is the most remembered king of Mali and when did he reign?

Mansa Musa, who ruled from 1307 to 1337.

Who ruled Songhai and what major learning center did he establish?

Mohammed Askia; he established Sankore University in Timbuktu.

Name the three smaller West African political states along the coast during 1300–1800.

Gonja (Volta Kingdoms), the Asante Empire, and the Bights of Benin (Dahomey) and Biafra.

What was a distinctive feature of the Asante Empire’s political system?

A highly engineered political system governed through a constitution and assembly.

In the Yoruba city-states (Ifẹ, Oyo, Benin), how was the Oni (king) chosen?

On a rotating basis by the clans (old loyalties).

Which dynasty founded Dahomey, and where is it located according to the notes?

The Fon ruling Dynasty; located in Southern Nigeria.

What percentage of Africans transported to the Americas during 1517–1700 came from West Central Africa?

About 69%.

Approximately how many Africans were transported across the Atlantic as part of the transatlantic slave trade?

About 10 to 15 million.

How did the transatlantic slave trade contribute to ideas about race and racism?

Trade helped generate ideas of racial difference and systems of racism codified in law and policy.

Which goods were produced by enslaved labor in the Americas?

Gold, silver, sugar, tobacco, and cotton.

Who primarily captured and sold Africans to Europeans, and how did Europeans interact with them?

Africans’ political and economic elites captured and sold Africans; Europeans negotiated with African chiefs to acquire slaves.

Why did Europeans turn to Africa for slave labor after the 15th century?

Indigenous laborers in the Americas were decimated by war and disease, and Africans possessed needed labor skills and agricultural knowledge; Africans were already integrated into local slave systems.

What cash crop motivated the expansion of the African slave trade?

Sugarcane.

What is the meaning of the term 'Middle Passage' from the crews’ and the Africans’ perspectives?

For crews: the second leg of the triangular trade (Europe → Africa → Americas). For enslaved Africans: one stage in a three-part journey (overland to coastal forts, the ocean voyage, and seasoning in the Americas).

Which former slave’s memoir helped end the British slave trade in 1807?

Olaudah Equiano.

What did Alexander Falconbridge describe about shipboard conditions on slave ships?

Cruel, filthy conditions with disease and suffering.

What term became synonymous with 'slave' by the 15th century?

Negro.

What was one major impact of the slave trade on African societies besides the human cost?

Loss of vital skills, traditions, and technological knowledge; increased internal conflicts; dependence on European goods.

Which two nations carried about 70% of the slave voyages, according to data from 86% of voyages?

Britain and Portugal.

How many Africans were estimated to have been transported to the Americas in the transatlantic slave trade?

Approximately 9.6 to 11 million.