African/American Civilizations Begin/Grow
As the Roman Empire falls apart; both the Sub-Saharan African & American nomads are forming very powerful civilizations
Africa
Geographically; The Great Plateau►The Basins►The Rift Valley►The Sahel
Since the days of Australopiticus/Homo evolution;
Hunter-gatherer nomads have wandered these vast regions of the continent chasing down food
Little has been written down prior to 1500: Archaeology/Egypt = key
Cush Empire
1800BC-Influenced by Egyptians► South of Egypt (Nubia) on Nile River►Temporarily conquered Egypt(750-671BC)
Assyrians attacked/weakened them: picked up & reorganized further southon NileRiver
Technological Marvel: Reproduced Egyptian-style pyramids/temples/ornamental decorations
Mysterious decline of power: 400AD►Controversy ►Axum???
Axum Empire
♦Major traders south of Egypt from 325-early 700sAD ♦Incorporated Christian themes into religion♦Fought v. Muslims
♦Finally overtaken by Muslims in early 700s
Eastern African coastline:
♦No true great enormouskingdoms developed♦Several small city-states were established ♦Utilized oceans as trade routes
♦Islam was incorporated into religion ♦Swahili-common language-spoken♦Slave trade begins (Africans taken by Arabs)
Examples of solid city-states: Kilwa, Malindi, Mogadishu, Lamu, & Pate
Kilwa: most famous► mosques, beautiful artwork, neighborhood designs, gold trade center
Central Africa:
Karanga Empire
800 AD: Controlled network of roads tracking back to East African coastline
Created forts to reinforce territory: Great Zimbabwe
Mysterious decline of power: 1400AD►Controversy????
Western Africa
♦Monarchies ruled♦Rivalry over Atlantic trade routes: GOLD♦Slavery between tribes
Ghana Empire
200s AD-1235; controlled Sahara until Muslims swept through area after Muslim Holy War with Berber tribes
Many Ghanese sold as slaves to Arabs in early 1000s-empire declined as a result
Mali Empire
1200s-1468; controlled former Ghana lands, expanded North, West, through upper Niger River
Mansu Musa 1307-1332-converted to Islam-traveled to Mecca
Many Muslims followed him back into Mali & many Malis sold as slaves to Arabs in early 1400s
Songhai Empire
1468-1591; capital:Goa: center of trade in Sahel region
Sunni Ali divides lands into regions: governors-report directly to king: warships strengthen trade routes
Morrocans take over lands in 1591.
American Empires
Olmecs: Earliest Mexican culture;mysterious disappearance around 200AD
Mayas:
1600BC-900AD; YucatanPeninsula civilization, agricultural society, mysterious disappearance
(Spanish destroyed much of the artifacts)
Religious oddity: human sacrifices to Gods/Goddesses
Toltecs:
650-Invaded C. Mexico from North: Exchanged ideas, commerce with Mayans (i.e. pyramids, human sacrifices)
Aztecs:
1200-Invaded C. Mexico from North: Tenochtitlan: Chinampas
1375-conquered central Mexico-1500s destroyed by Spanish Conquistadors
Incas:
1300s-1500sAndesMountains of S. America: Spoke Quechua: Empire replicated themes seen earlier in world history
1500s destroyed by Spanish Conquistadors