AP world module 2.4

Overview of Late Postclassical Africa

• Major civilizations of Africa (c. 1200–1450 CE) were formed due to trade and strategic location on important trade routes.

Impact of Trade on African Kingdoms

• Increased trade boosted wealth, political power, and cultural diversity in kingdoms on both western and eastern Africa.

• The exchange of goods brought them wealth, political power, and cultural diversity.

• The spread of Islam contributed to the continent's religious diversity alongside existing beliefs of animism and Christianity, especially prominent from the 7th century CE onwards.

• Notable kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia.

The Kingdom of Ghana

• Location: Nestled between the Sahara and the tropical rainforests of West Africa (distinct from the modern nation of Ghana).

• Founded: Believed to have been established in the 5th century CE, at least two centuries before the time of Muhammad.

• Peak Influence: 8th to 11th centuries CE (c. 700–1250 CE overall).

• Economic activities:

  • Exported gold and ivory to Muslim traders.

  • Exchanged for salt, copper, cloth, and tools.

• Political structure:

  • Centralized government with a capital in Koumbi Saleh, supported by nobles and a well-equipped army equipped with iron weapons.

  • Contrasts with other inland African political systems which were primarily decentralized.

The Kingdom of Mali

• Emergence: Stood as a powerful trading society by the 12th century CE (c. 1200–1650 CE overall) due to the decline of Ghana, which was weakened by wars with neighboring societies.

  • North African traders introduced Islam to Mali in the 9th century CE.

• Founding ruler: Sundiata (ruled 1235–1255 CE).

  • Believed to be a Muslim who established trade with North African and Arab merchants, cultivating a thriving gold trade.

  • Subject of legend: As a crippled prince, he was not considered a threat by rival groups who invaded, but he learned to fight and became a feared warrior.

  • Forced into exile, he allied with others and by 1235 CE, returned as "the Lion Prince" to defeat his enemies and reclaim his throne.

  • Was an astute and capable ruler whose steady leadership led to tremendous growth in Mali's wealth.

• Mansa Musa (Grand-nephew of Sundiata, ruled 1312–1337 CE):

  • Known for his pilgrimage to Mecca, which showcased Mali's immense wealth to the outside world. This pilgrimage began in 1324 CE.

  • His extravagant caravan to Arabia consisted of 100 camels, thousands of enslaved people and soldiers, and gold distributed to hosts.

  • Deepened his devotion to Islam upon his return.

  • Established religious schools in Timbuktu, built mosques in Muslim trading cities, and sponsored religious studies.

  • While most West Africans maintained traditional beliefs, Mansa Musa’s reign deepened support for Islam in Mali.

• Economy and Administration:

  • Government profited from and taxed nearly all trade entering West Africa, making it more prosperous than Ghana.

  • Most Malians were farmers cultivating crops like sorghum and rice.

  • Great cities like Timbuktu and Gao accumulated wealth and developed into centers of Muslim life and Islamic learning.

  • Timbuktu became a world-renowned center where books were highly valued, especially by the 1500s CE.

  • Rulers established currencies like cotton cloth, gold, glass beads, and salt.

  • States expanded their reach using military forces (with horses and iron weapons) to protect trade routes and resource-rich areas.

The Kingdom of Zimbabwe

• Timeline: Flourished between the 12th and 15th centuries CE (c. 1200–1450 CE overall).

• Geography: Located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers in present-day Zimbabwe, characterized by trade routes.

• Economic system: Based on agriculture, grazing, and trade, particularly in gold; the transport of gold led to great wealth.

• Noteworthy development: Built impressive stone walls around cities. Earlier structures made of wood were present by the 9th century CE.

  • The Great Zimbabwe was a notable site featuring, by the end of the 13th century CE:

    • A massive stone wall, 30 feet tall by 15 feet thick, surrounding the capital city.

    • Wall construction without mortar, the first large one on the continent built this way.

    • Inside the wall, most royal city buildings were made of stone.

    • Attractiveness and strategic importance in Indian Ocean trade, connecting East Africa with regions as far as India, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia via coastal city-states such as Mombasa, Kilwa, and Mogadishu. Indian Ocean trade was significant from the 8th century CE.

    • By the late 15th century CE, nearly 20,000 people resided within the Great Zimbabwe.

• Decline: By the end of the 1400s CE, environmental degradation due to overgrazing led residents to abandon the bustling capital city.

• Legacy: Presently, the walls stand as symbols of the historical power of Zimbabwe.

• Culture: Traders in East Africa blended Bantu and Arabic languages to develop Swahili, now spoken in the African Great Lakes region and parts of Southeast Africa.

The Kingdom of Ethiopia

• Historical context: Evolved from the kingdom of Axum, which prospered by trading goods obtained from India, Arabia, the Roman Empire, and the interior of Africa across the Indian Ocean.

• Religious diversity evolved through the spread of Islam starting in the 7th century CE, making the region more religiously diverse.

• Significant developments from the 12th century CE included the construction of 11 massive churches entirely from rock, showcasing the power of a Christian-led kingdom.

Trans-Saharan Trade

• Trade became significant by the end of the 8th century CE, known throughout Europe and Asia.

• Major commodities traded: Gold (acquired from the waters of the Senegal River), ivory, and enslaved individuals.

• Exchange items brought to Africa: Salt, textiles, and horses.

• Trade routes: Seven north-south trade routes and two east-west routes across the Sahara.

• Caravan logistics: Caravans often had thousands of camels laden with goods and enough water/provisions for the entire journey, generally walking the entire way.

• Effects of trade: Created considerable wealth for societies, particularly Ghana and Mali, put people in Sub-Saharan Africa in touch with an expanding number of cultures and trading partners, and facilitated the spread of Islam into Sub-Saharan Africa.

Decline of Mali and Rise of Songhai

• By the late 1400s CE, the Mali kingdom faced decline.

• Songhai rose as an influential power (1464–1591 CE), establishing their trade networks and policies, becoming larger and richer than Mali.

• Despite Mali's fall, Mansa Musa’s efforts to strengthen Islam in West Africa succeeded, with the religion retaining a prominent place in the region today.

Decline of Mali and Rise of Songhai

• By the late 1400s CE, the Mali kingdom faced decline, losing its stronghold over trade and regional power.

• The Songhai empire emerged as a formidable successor (1464–1591 CE), strategically establishing its own robust trade networks and comprehensive policies, which allowed it to surpass Mali in both size and wealth.

• Songhai asserted greater control over key trading cities like Timbuktu and Gao, previously significant centers under Mali, further solidifying its dominance.

• Despite the political decline of Mali, the efforts of rulers like Mansa Musa to strengthen Islam in West Africa proved enduring, with the religion maintaining a prominent place in the region today.

Key Terms and Figures

• Ghana: c. 700–1250 CE

• Mali: c. 1200–1650 CE

• Zimbabwe: c. 1200–1450 CE

• Great Zimbabwe, Indian Ocean trade, Swahili, Ethiopia, Timbuktu, Sundiata (ruled 1235–1255 CE), Mansa Musa (ruled 1312–1337 CE), Songhai Kingdom (1464-1591 CE).

• Key Terms and Figures

  • 5th century CE: Ghana believed to be founded.

  • 7th century CE: Spread of Islam prominently contributes to Africa's religious diversity.

  • 8th century CE (end): Trans-Saharan trade becomes significant; Indian Ocean trade also significant.

  • 8th to 11th centuries CE (c. 700–1250 CE): Ghana's peak influence.

  • 9th century CE: North African traders introduced Islam to Mali; earlier wooden structures in Zimbabwe.

  • 12th century CE: Mali emerges as powerful trading society; Ethiopia begins construction of 11 rock-hewn churches.

  • Ghana: c. 700–1250 CE (overall existence).

  • Sundiata: ruled 1235–1255 CE, returned as "the Lion Prince" by 1235 CE.

  • Mali: c. 1200–1650 CE (overall existence).

  • Great Zimbabwe: notable site with stone wall by end of 13th century CE (30 ft tall, 15 ft thick).

  • Mansa Musa: ruled 1312–1337 CE, pilgrimage to Mecca began in 1324 CE.

  • Zimbabwe: c. 1200–1450 CE (overall existence).

  • Late 1400s CE: Decline of Mali kingdom; environmental degradation led to abandonment of Great Zimbabwe; nearly 20,000 people resided within Great Zimbabwe by late 15th century CE.

  • 1500s CE: Timbuktu became a world-renowned center for books.

  • Songhai Kingdom: 1464–1591 CE, emerged as a formidable successor to Mali.

  • Great Zimbabwe, Indian Ocean trade, Swahili, Ethiopia, Timbuktu, Sundiata, Mansa Musa.