Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, with diverse physical features such as deserts, forests, mountains, rivers, and savannas. The geography of Africa played a crucial role in shaping the development of early African kingdoms and empires. It influenced their political, economic, and social systems, as well as their interactions with neighboring regions. This essay explores how the geography of Africa influenced the development of early African kingdoms and empires.
The geography of Africa led to the development of diverse political systems. The Sahara Desert, for instance, “acted as a barrier that prevented the spread of Islam and Christianity into sub-Saharan Africa”. As a result, many African societies developed their own
Africa Before European Domination DBQ Before the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Europeans arrived, Africans developed several advanced civilizations. For instance during the early 300s, kingdoms, empires, and cities in East Africa arose and declined. More specifically, in West Africa, 3 empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai took control of the gold and salt trade. Cities on the east coast gained power and wealth through trade as well.
Also in Africa was still Muslim power, which
After the muslims conquered West Africa is when we first heard about the empires from the Arabic language sourcers (Doc F). This is important to the prosperity in kingdoms of West Africa because the spread of the West African culture created an increase in their status leading to a beneficial expansion in their culture. This, thanks to the help of the West African kingdom spread from the muslims and arabic language sources. Also, The continents of Africa, Asia, India, and the Mediterranean brought in more of an exchange interest, which helped expand the geography in West African kingdoms (Doc D). This supports the geographical aspects of the prosperity increase because with the help of other resources around the world, the kingdoms of West Africa became more known for their goods which affected their surroundings leading to geographical enhancements.
#1 - In what ways was geography crucial to the establishment of the small kingdoms and empires we have discussed thus far? Paragraph 1: Throughout all of history, geography has impacted the way small kingdoms and empires have been created. The Phoenicians are impacted by living on the coast and the Persians are impacted by living on the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia.
In History of Africa, Shillington focuses on many aspects of African culture and factors that made Africa to be the continent that it is today. Chapter 5 primarily focuses on the Northern region of Africa and how empires took over and spread their ideology technology, and culture all through out the region. Even today some remnants of the Roman and Greek empire live on to this day (Shillington, 69.) Despite many people getting the impression that Northern Africa is only influenced by Arabic and Islam, these empires and their conquests are best understood through topics like intricate trading routes, farming, and the spread of religion. Shillington provides an in depth analysis of how many of these conquests affected Northern Africa centuries ago and today.
There are multiple examples of major changes in Africa that I could talk about for this exam. But being that I only need a few pages, I will focus on, for this exam, rise and end of the Malinke Empire and Songhay, the religious influences throughout Ethiopia, trading towns in the east of Africa, and most of the Iron Age societies. The examples of change will display how towns and kingdoms would come and go, the people settling there, or development of new productions and technology. I will then explain if the examples were of benefit or not to Africa’s continents for years to come.
So Europe invaded Africa, took possession of Africa, and divided Africa into colonies of Europe. The period of invasion, lasting some twenty years, was more or less completed by 1900. There followed a longer period, between sixty and ninety years, of direct European rule, called colonial rule. This was a time of profound upheaval for all of Africa’s peoples. It brought irreversible changes” (4).
The location of Africa gave the continent the advantage of sea routes, that connected
Throughout time diverse regions have considered other societies to be barbaric, causing them to have the desire of “civilizing” them. Many individuals accept the rule of a higher and civilized region as they believe that their alterations will benefit them. Although, by enabling a higher power to acquire authority in another foreign nation, will diminish that regions culture and individuals will not truly possess respect, ultimately causing them to rebel against that foreign power after they comprehend their true nature. Likewise, after the Berlin Conference, which set certain rules for the partition of Africa, numerous European powers desired in colonizing Africa and obtaining control during the early 1800s, which was known as the Scramble
Medieval Africa was a continent that has been heavily influenced. One major thing that has shaped Africa's growth is its geography. One major river that has influenced Africa is the Nile river. The large amounts of Gold and Salt found in Africa have also helped Africa grow in trade. Savannas also provide a place for agriculture and a good living space.
Africa before 1500 ce was a time where many events happened that changed the civilization of Africa forever. Africa invented trades, cultures, traditions, and so many other things that affected Africa in many ways. There is a huge timeline that explains all the events that happen in Africa, what year they happen, and why they happen in the first place. Africa along with other certain continents had major events happened before 1500 ce. Since I chose Africa I will be explaining what was Africa before 1500 ce.
The African kingdoms Ghana, Mali, Songhai The African nations of Ghana, Mali, Songhai, shared so many characteristics between each other. For one primary comparison is, all three ancient empires relied on the trans-Saharan trading routes and their lush amount of gold, copper and other natural resources. They established many political ties with many Arab countries and nearby African societies. These three nations shared abundantly cultural similarities from just the rise of Islam.
The Igbo people’s culture/tradition, language and religion were all indirectly affected by Geography. Geography shaped every aspect of their livelihood. The main thing geography affects is the climate of its location. The effects of climate on the African continent or more importantly, present day Nigeria where Things Fall Apart takes place are profound, of which we can see today from the hardships many African countries have with a lack of water.
The Early African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were established sufficiently and later met their demise. The Early African Kingdoms were able to progress in economy and political structure by the actions of their leaders, location, religious influences, and geographical features. Religion influenced the African economy, political structure, and cultural practices. All Early African Kingdoms took advantage of the gold and salt trade and used it to hike in power. Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa, Sunni Ali, and Askia the Great abetted their kingdoms, economy, and society.