PERSONAL NOTES African Empires

3000 and 1600 BCE- between these periods, powerful empires & trading systems flourished in
Africa

FIRST EMPIRE 1.) The Kingdom of Kush (Nubia)-> Kushites or Nubians (Egyptian subjects) - Now called Sudan
Located: South of Egypt in the Nile River (was sandy or a rocky desert, both hot and cold temperature)
FACT: The Nile River gave fertile lands to the Nubians. Was the only civilization that untie the lands along the river Nile)

Kushites -> They ruled Egypt in the 25th dynasty of the pharaohs of Egypt.
No longer defended their Egyptian dynasty by 630 BCE. Contains: White Caucasians and (Meroe- the capital, composed Black Caucasians) CAPITAL: Meroe (kingdoms center) valuable iron ore deposits (Kushites learned to use) - Carried lively iron trade with * Egypt * Arabia * India * Ethiopia * and other portions of Africa in the far SOUTH

IRON- one of the traded valuables from Africa e.g. Advantages of Iron *Iron plows (enabled farmers to increase food production) *Iron weapons (jad military advantages) Kings and queens of Kush (used riches from trade) - BUILD * walled palaces * huge temples * burial pyramids SECOND EMPIRE 2.) The Empire of Axum now called Ethiopia - Carried trade with the Mediterranean world and Asia - Empires grew in the west African savanna - Blended with Arab cultures and African cultures Capitals: Ghana, Mali and Songhai. Language: Semitic *TRADE Barter Trade- gold exchanged for salt across Sahara. Wangara- a rich gold mining area (prized by many nation) Trades brought gold, ivory and animal hides from the interior of Africa to the port of the Red Sea.
*RELIGION King Ezana of Axum- In 324 CE, converted to Christianity. Spread of Islam- broke the connection to Christianity and the Axum. *INTERESTING FACT: The people of Ethiopia now, trace back their belief of Christianity. Sahara desert- the largest desert in the world - Crossed by the Camel (called the animal of the desert) Salt - was important to the West African people. - Essential in peoples diet

THIRD EMPIRE 3.) Ancient Ghana is now called Northern Senegal and Southern Mauritania - Controlled the Gold Trade - Began to develop in West Africa, grew near the marketplace of the gold traders, its power came from its location - Large empire based on trade and agriculture - Empire taxed all the goods, including salt and gold, entering and leaving Ghana. TRADE The main goods traded were salt, copper,, gold and slaves. RELIGION Ghana- Islam Muslim world began to write about Ghana as the spread of Islam (brought Arabs in contact with West Africans) GOVERNMENT - Ruled by a king KING- could appoint different officers of the kingdom - Final judge of all court cases - Believed to be partly divine - Claimed the right to own all the gold nuggets - Control the economy WAR Almoravids- Muslim Berbers - Attacked Kumbi Saleh in 1076 (to make people better Muslims) - Occupied ten years the capital FOURTH EMPIRE 4.) Mali- trade and learning flourished in this empire - A province, part of Ghana - Empire became the supplier of gold to Europe INTERESTING FACT: Guinea gold was used for the coins in northern Italian city states of the 14th century. Guinea- means west Africa Capital- City of Timbuktu- located on the bend of the Niger River, cultural center of Mali - Gold from the south and salt from the north flowed Sundiata- leader of Mali - Led the people to victory, conquered the last king of Ghana - In his last rule, he conquered vast territories and made Mali an empire. - Brought the gold and salt ming, under his control - A hero to his people Mansa Musa- nephew of Sundiata - Ruled in 1307 - Was a Muslim - Forced his people to be Muslims - Set his pilgrimage to Mecca Mansa Musas pilgrimage- served as advertisement of the wealth of his country Arab scholars and travelers came to Timbuktu to see Mali for themselves. FIFTH EMPIRE 5.) Songhai Empire- southern border of Nigeria ruled by Sonni Ali - After Mansa Musas death, Songhai tried to seize power - After Mansas Musas death, it was then conquered by nomadic raiders (Tuaregs) - After Sonni Ali conquered more territory, it became the largest of of West Africas trading empires - Considered the most organized

Sonni Ali one of his goal was to conquer Timbuktu - Conquered Timbuktu in 1468 - Described by Muslims as horrible tyrant - Proceeded to capture the other cities of Mali - Ruled the place for 35 years - Next target was Djenne (wealthy trading city) - Dominated the trans-Saharan trading routes A Tyrant- is a cruel ruler who uses his power without limits. A Seige- a military plan in which attacking army cuts off supplies to the defenders Askia Mohammad- disposed the ruler (son of Sonni Ali) - Took control of Songhai - Empire grew big - Administrator who gave the empire an improved system of government - Strengthened Islam - Appointed Islamic judges to enforce law - He made Timbuktu, leading center of Islamic learning Law- were based on the Quran Morocco- Got jealous of the wealth and power of Songhai - Invaded Songhai (Moroccans invaded Timbuktu)