What Should I Know For Module 3?
3.00:Great Empires- Introduction
After completing the Module 3Pre-Test, please open the Pre-test and look over the questions you missed. It is a great idea to write down all of the questions you missed so that youre sure to add this information to your notes.
3.01:West African Empires
-Describe the geographic regions of Africa:
-Sahara:Sahara Desert is one such feature. This immense, dry region stretches across Africa and separates North Africa from the rest of the continent. As a result of this desert barrier, North Africa developed differently from the rest of the continent. Its languages, cultures, and ethnicities are more closely linked to Arabia and the Mediterranean than to the rest of Africa.
-Sahel: an arid area at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, which stretches from Mauritania to Chad
-Niger River:Despite the importance of the Sahara, one shouldn’t think of the region as exclusively desert. Two important rivers flow through West Africa, the Senegal River and the Niger River. While the Senegal River plays a part,the Niger River is the star in this story. Strangely shaped, it does not flow in a relatively straight line like the Nile or the Mississippi. Rather, it curves and changes direction. The Niger starts in present-day Guinea and flows northeast into Mali, where it bends and begins to flow southwest through Niger and Nigeria, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
-How did the following make it easy to establish kingdoms on Western Africa?
-iron:Around 500 BCE, the people of the region also learned how to forge iron, and they began making tools and weapons.
-horses:At some point horses were introduced into the area. The stage was set for conquest and the growth of great civilizations.
-What was being traded in the empires of Western Africa?
The early people of Djenné-Djeno traded for copper, gold, and bronze
-What were some aspects of Ghanas culture? (Include at least 2)
-Why did the kingdom of Ghana come to an end?
he story tells of Bida, a serpent to whom the people sacrificed a virgin each year. As long as Bida received his sacrifices, the country flowed with gold. One year, the girl scheduled for sacrifice was rescued by the hero Mamadou Sarolle, who slew the serpent. With the death of Bida, gold mining became less successful. He also exacted revenge by bringing a drought, and the fortunes of the kingdom declined.
-Explain the importance of the following people to the Mali Empire:
-Sundiata Keita:Sundiata organized many of the Mandé chiefs to fight a rival, the Soso Kingdom. Sundiata won, and the Mali Empire began. The capital of the Mali Empire was Niani, which was near the Buré gold fields, on the present-day border between Mali and Guinea.
-Mansa Musa:Mansa Musa brought back an Arab architect, Abu Ishaq al-Sahili, who changed the way the people of Mali built their homes. Al-Sahili built Mansa Musa a rectangular home, which had a domed roof. Instead of mud brick, the palace was covered in plaster and painted with beautiful designs.
-Why did the Mali Empire come to an end?
Later kings followed the patrilineal tradition, where the eldest son succeeds the father. Since there seems to have been no strict tradition, there were many fights over succession. This led to civil wars and was a large part of the reason why the Mali Empire declined.
-Who was Sunni Ali the Great and why is he important to the Songhai Empire?
The founder of the Songhai Empire is often considered to be Sunni Ali the Great. Ninety years after the successful rebellion against Mali, Sunni Ali led the Songhai in conquering the cities of Mema and Timbuktu. Later he added more territory to the empire. The Songhai Empire lasted from 1450 to 1591 CE. His successor, Askia Muhammad, expanded the kingdom into much of Mali and made Songhai the largest kingdom ever to exist in Africa until that time.
-Why did the Songhai Empire come to an end?
Like the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire also suffered from many battles over succession. In Songhai, the brothers of the king often tried to depose him; in turn, some kings tried to protect themselves by killing all their brothers. The last great battle for succession occurred when a great army general challenged a new king. Many men were killed in the battle for control of the country and the Songhai army was weakened. When troops from Morocco invaded to seize control of and revive the trans-Saharan trade in gold, the Songhai Empire could not win and was conquered, making this the last of the great West African empires.
-How was society organized in Western Africa?
3.02: Big Picture Africa
-How did migrations impact Africa? Focus on the causes and effects of each.
-Northern and Eastern Migrations:
Around 2000 BCE, people of the upper Nile area and Southwest Asia migrated along the coast of the Red Sea and settled the lands known as the Horn of Africa. They blended a pastoral and an agricultural lifestyle. Some farmed, and others herded livestock. Located near the great civilizations of North Africa and Southwest Asia, these people also became traders. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians referred to this area as Punt. Around 700 BCE, one group of people emerged as dominant in the region. They established the D'mt (pronounced Da'maat) kingdom. This kingdom began to trade with interior African peoples as well as with merchants of the Arabian Peninsula. By about 300 BCE, D'mt had lost control over port cities that had begun to amass their own wealth and power.
-Bantu Migrations:XBantu Migrations:
Also around 2000 BCE, an even larger migration got under way–that of the Bantu-speaking peoples based in the forested lands near the Niger and Benue Rivers. The first wave of the Bantu migrations would occur over the course of 2,000 years. The Bantu, who were primarily farmers, spread south and east, blending with local hunter–gatherers who inhabited the areas that they settled. Historians debate the causes of the Bantu migrations but many attribute the movement to overpopulation. Too many people in the lands of the Niger and Benue River Valleys may have caused some to seek out new opportunities–and resources–elsewhere. As the Bantu peoples spread, they carried farming with them. Over time, the descendants of the first wave of migrants would push farther south, spreading their language and culture throughout the region. In time, as more people settled along the coast, they, too, would become traders.
-How did trade impact the cultures, economies, and political systems of Africa?
-Use the Map on page 2 of 6, the Timeline on page 3 of 6, and interactive chart on page 4 of 6 to help you describe thefollowing city-states and kingdoms:
-Ethiopia:
-Swahili:
- Meroe:
-Axum:
- Great Zimbabwe:
-How did trade and the Portuguese influence Africa?
-What impact did oral traditions have on Africas history?
3.03: Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
-What Is the Beringian Theory?
Beringia Theory, is a popular model of migration into the New World. This theory was first proposed in 1590 by José de Acosta and has been widely accepted since the 1930s.
-What does Pre-Columbian mean?
the designation referring to the history of the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus in 1492
-What does Mesoamerica mean?
region that is defined by the cultural similarities of its indigenous populations; it extends from central Mexico through most of Central America, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica
-What is the difference between a mother culture and a sister culture?
Mother culture is cultures that had a direct influence on later civilizations in the region
-Include several achievements for each of the following civilizations:
-Olmec:
We know that the Olmec had a vast trading network around the region. From their monuments and art we know their society was complex. The Olmec society thrived until 400 BCE, after which the Olmec no longer dominated the region.
-Zapotec:
This city included pyramids, elaborate tombs, and even a ball field. It is likely that the inhabitants of this city had a written calendar and language as well. The settlement at Monte Albán flourished primarily from 300 to 900 CE. During that time, it was the largest and most important center in Mesoamerica. In the last centuries before the Spanish conquest, the settlement became less important and was inhabited by the Mixtec, whose culture merged with that of the Zapotec.
-Chavin:
were the first advanced society in the Andean highlands area of modern Peru. From 900 to 200 BCE, the ChavÍn flourished. The ChavÍn brought the first political unification to the region, uniting some local groups with a common religion and culture.
3.04: Central and South American Legacies and Contributions
-Include several achievements for each of the following civilizations:
-Inca:
Macchu Picchu
The Inca civilization flourished between the 12th and 15th centuries CE. Although its capital was Cuzco, the most famous Incan city might be Machu Picchu, shown here. Incan accomplishments include building suspension bridges and the impressive city of Machu Picchu nestled among mountains.
-Maya:
Mayan civilization flourished in Mesoamerica between 250 and 900 CE. Mayan accomplishments include a written language, sculpture, and architectural monuments, including stone pyramids like the one seen here at the site of the ancient
-Aztec:
Aztecs were the last of the great pre-Columbian civilizations, thriving between 1325 and 1519 CE. They were a rich culture. Although they built several cities-including Tenochtitlan, shown here-the Aztecs were also great farmers and are known for their advanced agricultural techniques. The Aztec empire ended when Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mesoameric
3.05: Comparing and Contrasting Early American Civilization
-Describe each leader. Include which civilization they led and what they are most known for.
-Pacal the Great:
powerful king of the Mayan city of Palenque
Typically, the son of a male Mayan ruler inherited the throne, but in 612 CE, King Ac Kan died and did not leave behind a male heir. As a result, the daughter of Ac Kan’s brother ruled until her son, Pacal, reached an age old enough to assume the throne. The throne was passed on to Pacal through a female; as a result, he believed that he must legitimize his claim to the throne to add stability to his reign.
Pacal used history and religion to make his claim to the throne. Pacal pointed out that Ac Kan had succeeded his mother as ruler, thereby establishing a precedent for the rule to pass through a female. He tried to justify that the way he gained the throne by connecting his mother with the Divine Mother and the mythological events that happened during the creation of the world.
Pacal ruled for about 67 years, during which he expanded Palenque's power in the western Maya states. In addition, Pacal started a program that built many great buildings around the capital. Every new building displayed texts stating Pacal’s royal ancestry as well as his image.
After Pacal’s death, his son built a large tomb for his father called the Temple of Inscriptions, which has many hieroglyphic engravings. Underneath the temple is a crypt, which held the remains of what is believed to be Pacal the Great.
Select your Travel Journal to hear the question and take notes on essential ideas in the lesson.
play
How did Pacal the Great impact the development of the Mayans?
Unless otherwise noted, © 2012 FLVS
-Moctezuma I:
emperor of the Aztec from about 1440 to 1468
-Huayna Capac:
emperor of the Incas from about 1493 to 1525
-Compare the religion and politics (governments) of the Early American Civilizations:
Maya-Religion:
Politics (Government):
Aztec-Religion:
Politics (Government):
Inca-Religion:
Politics (Government):