Chapter 13 Study Guide - Tropical Africa and Asia, 1200-1500 - The Earth and Its Peoples Third (3rd) Edition

What are characteristics of the tropics?

usually warm year-round; temperate climate

between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

winds create high and low pressure systems → create rainy and dry seasons

Describe the importance of the monsoons? Where would they be found?

seasonal winds that bring rainfall; affect rainy and dry seasons

found in the lands around the Indian Ocean

How does altitude affect climate?

altitude creates many temperature variations

How do people survive within the tropic ecosystem?

hunting, gathering, and fishing are the main activities

some animal and plant domestication

some farming dependent on the area's rainfall and fertility

What important water systems were developed during this time in the Tropics and Asia?

government controlled many hydraulic works: irrigation systems, dams, canals, reservoirs

conserved the rainfall from monsoons

Explain the use and importance of iron, gold and copper.

used to make agricultural tools (axes, knives, etc.), used for limited weaponry, luxury items (swords, jewelry, etc.), sometimes copper currency, wire, decorative items, etc.

How did this area become Muslim?

Islam was passed around trade routes

Muslim Berber invasions took Ghana and Nubia, but most of the conversions were gradual/peaceful

What were the economic strengths of Mali?

controlled upper Niger area, so lots of access to gold → TRADE, also some agriculture

How was it governed?

generally governed by powerful ruling kings who had luxurious lives and lots of power

What was the role of agriculture?

well-developed agricultural base also fostered commercial expansion

How did Mansa Musa spread the word that Mali was amazingly wealthy?

he took a pilgrimage to Mecca with lots of gold, gifts, people, etc. → earned a luxurious reputation

Describe the wealth and luxury of Mali?

tons and tons of gold, lots of presents and riches, mosques and Quranic schools all over, etc.

What caused this area to fall?

after 200 years, fell because of weak leadership, rebellions, too much diversity, attacks

Where is Delhi located? How does that location affect its politics? Religion?

located in northern India -- not near places that worshipped idols → monotheism was more popular

sultans and Muslim invaders conquered large realm, lots of destruction → but then were benevolent

Why didn't Raziya succeed as a sultan in Delhi for more than 4 years? What attributes did she bring to this leadership position?

she was a woman but was fair, generous, a protector, a good leader

What were the experiences of Ibn Battuta in Delhi?

he admired their Muslim values of humility and piety, but didn't like their cruelties (taxed Brahmins)

How did the Turks rule this area?

Turks were minority → lots of terror (harsh military punishments, pillages, taxes, etc.)

What conflicts eventually led to the downfall of the Delhi sultanate?

internal struggles (rivalries between elites, Hindu resentment, etc.)

What opened the doors for Mongol domination in this area by 1398?

decentralization (some places broke off of the sultanate) → Mongols became interested

In chart form, compare and contrast the dhow and the junk?

dhows: went in shallower waters, from India, used guiding stars, skilled pilots, cargo and passenger

junks: much larger, more capacity, from China, more advanced

Where were key points of trade on the Indian Ocean trade route system from 1200-1500?

Swahili Coast + eastern Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Middle East, Mediterranean, eastern Europe

Where was Great Zimbabwe? What was its claim to fame? What might you see in that area that is distinct for other cities in east Africa?

capital city of the Swahili coast, rich off of gold exports and trade

large impressive stone structures built for priests, rulers, etc.

When gold was not being traded, what was the economic base of Zimbabwe?

mixed farming, cattle herding, LONG-DISTANCE TRADE

Could the downfall of Zimbabwe have been prevented?

maybe (the downfall was ecological depletion of forests/grasslands b/c of cattle overgrazing)

Locate Aden on the map in the textbook. What makes its location great for trading?

rainfall from monsoon winds, convenient stopping point for trade → access to variety of goods

What does Battuta say about Aden?

many comments about massive wealth (story about how slaves were even rewarded with stuff)

If you were to visit this area, what might you see?

I would see tons of goods from so many different places (horses, spices, cloth, pearls, etc.)

What was the religion of the people Aden? Ethiopia?

usually a wide variety (judaism, islam) because of good relationships b/c of common interests

Where is Gujarat located? Find it in your textbook

state located in western India

What was Gujarat's claim to fame?

exported cotton textiles and indigo -- also, actually manufactured their goods

What were some of the manufactured goods produced?

sleeping mats, gold and silver wire, leather cushions

Describe the central city of Gujarat - what might be going on?

Cambay = very diverse, artisanry, luxurious items, wealth, nice streets, stone homes

Did religion hurt or help their ability to trade?

it helped: people were religiously tolerant in pursuit of common commercial interests

Where is Siam? What is the name of this region today? Why might you want to vacation in this area someday?

Siam is in the upper Malay Peninsula

How does Malacca come to dominate the trade empire in this region?

it made many commercial alliances, particularly with China

the ruler converted to Islam to promote trade with Muslim traders

How many languages were spoken in Malacca? Why is that important to note?

there were 84 languages - shows how diverse and cosmopolitan it was

How wealthy was this area in comparison to Aden and Gujarat?

very wealthy - rivaled Aden and Gujarat

What allowed for the social and cultural exchange during this time period and in these area?

growth of the state, commercial expansion, and the spread of Islam

What impacts of exchange were found in architecture? Literacy and religion?

Muslim influenced architecture, wealthy palaces and mansions

more literacy to read texts; Quranic schools and mosques were built

What were key areas of cultural growth during this time?

literacy, theology, administration, religion, math, science, medicine, philosophy,etc.

How did the Muslims rule the land they had conquered?

they did not require conversion but persuade people to convert

What happened to Buddhism as Islam grew in popularity? Explain

Buddhism declined (scripts and monasteries/monks burned)

What were the roles of slaves? Women? Men?

slaves served in households, women depended on male masters but did child rearing, spinning and weaving, some agricultural work; men controlled women