Ch 20 africa ppt

AFRICA AND THE AFRICANS IN THE AGE OF THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADEChapter 20

GOLD WEALTH OF GHANA

Ghana – “land of gold” Soninke people Ideal for trade – between Niger and Senegal

rivers King taxes all trade Capital: Kumbi Saleh

Comprised of two walled towns

~INFLUENCE OF ISLAM Muslim merchants brought the Islamic faith

to Ghana Ghana adopted Muslim counselors,

government officials, military technology, ideas about government, written language, coinage, business methods, and styles of architecture.

Most Soninke people continue to support their traditional customs and beliefs

GHANA’S DECLINE

c. 1050 AD Almoravids – pious Muslims of N. Africa launch a campaign to spread Islam

Almoravids overwhelm and take Ghana, but cannot consistently rule Ghana across the Sahara

Kingdom of Mali expands and takes over Ghana instead

THE KINGDOM OF MALI

Mandinka people Mandinka word “Mali” means

“where the king dwells” Mansas -- kings expanded

their influence over the gold mining regions and salt supplies of Taghaza

Camel Caravan routes caused towns like Timbuktu to mushroom into great trading cities.

http://home.intekom.com/southafricanhistoryonline/pages/classroom/pages/projects/grade7/lesson5/Images/westafrica.jpg

THE MALI EMPIRE FLOURISHED IN THE 13TH CENTURY, WITH THE CITY OF TIMBUKTU ON THE BANKS OF THE NIGER RIVER AS AN INTELLECTUAL, ARTISTIC AND RELIGIOUS CENTER. (THE REPUBLIC OF

MALI).

SUNDIATAIbn Batuta said:

• Brilliant leader• Celebrated by the griots

(professional oral historians)• He divided up the world (16

clans – bear arms and carry the box and arrow; five clans – devoted to religious duties; four clans – specialists like blacksmiths and griots)

• Even though very diverse, safety and loyalty were emphasized

• Crime was severely punished

Arab traveler “Of all peoples, the

Blacks are those who most hate injustice, and their emperor pardons none who is guilty of it”

MANSA MUSA

IBN BATUTA & MARCO POLO LATE 1200’S EARLY 1300’S

http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/images/mpibvoya.jpg

MANSA MUSA

Greatest Emperor of Mali

Expanded the empire to Atlantic Ocean and up to North Africa

25 year reign Converts to Islam and

based his system of justice on the Quran

MANSA MUSA’S GREATNESS CONT…

• 1324 AD Mansa Musa fulfilled one of the five pillars: the Hajj

• Created economic and diplomatic ties with other Muslim states along his journey

• Still did not force women to veil, women were not secluded within the home

• By 1400s Timbuktu becomes a leading center of learning, drew Muslim scholars from all over the world

• Mali falls into decline after disputes over succession arise in 1400s

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1582406-Timbuktu_mosque-Mali.jpg

http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0100-kingdom-mali.php

A NEW EMPIRE IN SONGHAI

1450 – wealthy trading city of Gao emerged as capital of West African kingdom of Songhai

SONNI ALI Soldier king who uses

his army to create the largest state that had ever existed

Brought trade routes and wealthy cities (like Timbuktu) under his control

Chooses not to adopt Islam and follows traditional religious beliefs instead

ASKI MUHAMMAD

Expanded the territory of Songhai Improved government beauracracy As a Muslim, he made his hajj and met with

different Islamic states along the way to increase his ties to the Muslim world.

Built temples and schools to study the Quran Scholars and poets flock to Gao

INVADERS FROM THE NORTH!

1586 – succession disputes (surprise, surprise) lead to civil war

Ruler of Morocco uses an army armed with gunpowder weapons to seize gold mines

Morocco is unable to control Songhai across the Sahara, the kingdoms of West Africa end up splintered and fragmented

1591 – Songhai Empire “falls”

PRACTICE

What would a good thesis be for: Analyze the changes and continuities in Western

Africa from the rise of the kingdom of Ghana through the fall of the Songhay.

THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE Which region is first to really sink their teeth into Africa? Which country? Portuguese establish forts and trading posts along the W

African coast through the late 1400’s Trade includes

Ivory, pepper, animal skins and gold to Portuguese Slaves from other sections of the coast to African rulers

Work to interconnect and make contacts, can be hit or miss for the Portuguese

Missionary efforts to convert Benin, the Kongo, and other African kingdoms Reach Kongo (1484)

European missionaries very successful Nzinga Mvemba (r.1507-1543) converts, entire kingdom becomes

Christian Portuguese attempt to Europeanize, but eventually the enslavement of

his subjects leads Nzinga Mvemba to try to end the slave trade and limit the Portuguese

Only partly successful – Portuguese control the Kongo’s ability to communicate and trade with the outside world

EXTENDING THEIR REACH The Portuguese create

forts/posts at Mbundu, Luanda, and establish the colony of Angola

Round the cape and secure bases in Kilwa, Mombasa, and Sofala

Incentives? Commercial and military (but usually bring a strong missionary contingent too)

What next? 17th century, the Dutch, English, French and others follow suit

Portuguese movement down the coast becomes a common European pattern

Trading stations

Slave trade becomes central

Portuguese Expansion and Major African Kingdoms

BENIN BRONZEWORKS Ife artisans

(neighboring kingdom)

BENIN FOREST KINGDOM South of the savanna 1300s “Oba” – king who serves

as a political and religious leader; spreads power among other groups (Queen mother and hereditary chiefs)

Benin bronzeworks – depict warriors armed for battle, queen mother’s updo’s, and the oba himself

In this 15th c. ivory mask, the “figures on the top represent the Portuguese who had been slaving in Africa since the mid 15th century” http://

abolitionwya.org.uk/further-info/africa

HOW THEY SAW EACH OTHER

Africans viewed Portuguese as strange but incorporated them into their world

Portuguese saw Africans as savages who could be civilized and converted

REFOCUS ON PORTUGAL

Between 1450-1460, the number of slaves entering Portugal per year goes from 50-500

Catalyst in the Americas? sugar plantations begin

to develop

Trend Toward Expansion 1450-1850

12 million Africans sent across Atlantic 10-11 million survive

18th century Height of trade 80 percent of total trade occurs during this time

Muslim areas Trans-Saharan, Red Sea, East Africa 3 million slaves traded

Demographic Patterns Saharan trade

Mostly women Atlantic trade

Primarily young men for hard labor

Estimated that by 1850 the population of west and central was about half of what it would have been without the slave trade(1850 pop = 25 million)

Rates of trade reflect changing economic and political situation in the New World

Slave trade with Muslim world continues 3 million transported between 1450 and 1750

Wars increase in Africa as both cause and effect of slave trade

THE PROGRESSION OF THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

Organization of the Trade Portuguese dominate

first, until ~ 1630 Dutch seize El Mina, 1630

Begin to rival Portuguese English – found the Royal

African Company, involved in slave trade from 1660s

French involved as well

Fewer than 10% of the Europeans who were stationed in Africa lived through the first year

THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

DEMOGRAPHICS

Trade with Muslim world tended to focus on women

Atlantic slave trade tended to focus on men African population reduced by half of what it

would have been without slave trade by 1750

Both Africans and Europeans involved in slave trade Not any more profitable than any other trade of its

time Part of Triangular trade Drew African economy into world economy Resulted in African economies becoming dependent

on trade with Europe

AFRICAN SOCIETIES, SLAVERY, AND THE SLAVE TRADE Slavery had existed in Africa prior to the

Atlantic Slave Trade Usually focused on enslavement of women Islamic forms of slavery also introduced Existence of slavery helped Europeans

mobilize commerce of slaves by tapping into existing routes

SLAVING AND AFRICAN POLITICS Most states in western and central Africa

were small and unstable Increasing frequency of wars led to

increasing need for improved weaponry Power shifted due to European coastal

presence Inland kingdoms gained power by gaining

guns and working as intermediaries to the Europeans in the slave trade

ASANTE

Gained access to firearms in 1650 and began expanding

Became the dominant power on the gold coast up until 1820

DAHOMEY Emerged as a power in the 1720 Used access to firearms to form an autocratic

state Primary economic activity relied on the slave

trade Growth of absolute rulers paralleled the rise

of absolutism in Europe Like in Europe, attempts were made to limit

royal authority

STRING OF CITY-STATES Commercial cities rise along S. African coast Kilwa, Mogadishu, Mombassa, and Sofala From ancient times to early modern times, a continual trade area

(Phoenicians, Greek, Roman, Indian) Muslim traders set up posts in 600 and 700s

Kilwa – one of the most beautifully constructed towns in the world Blend of cultures – China, India, Arab, Bantu, SE Asia, etc Swahili – Bantu base, Arabic words, Arabic script

EAST AFRICA AND SUDAN

Swahili towns continue commerce in gold, ivory, and slaves with Middle Eastern markets

Bantu speaking people dominated the region 18th century saw Islamization

By the 1840, new political units were created Attempts were made to stamp out paganism and

illiteracy Large numbers of captives from the religious wars

were shipped down the coast to Europeans By the 19th century slaves made up to 50% op the

population of this region

WHITE SETTLERS AND AFRICANS IN SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

By 16th Century, Bantu-speakers occupy southern East Africa Chiefdoms varied in size and power Expansion Competition and conflict

1652- Dutch East India Company establishes the Cape Colony Dutch enslave local Africans 1760s Dutch cross Orange River Dutch gov’t attempts to limit

settlement and slavery, but fails Boers move north, “Great Trek”

to avoid gov’t regulations

Slave trade links Africa to World Economy Slavery is grueling and deadly Middle Passage: passage to Americas Slaves worked in Plantations and Mines Hierarchy created by Slave owners to prevent

uprisings People lose local African identity

Create new family units Growth of communities of runaway slaves

MANY PEOPLES, MANY TRADITIONS People and the Environment

Hunting and Food Gathering Khoisan people of the Kalahari desert survive by

gathering roots and herbs, hunt small gameHerding and Fishing

Raise herds of cattle in areas not plagued by the teste fly

Nomadic b/c resources are limitedSettled Farming Societies

Grow grains and root crops (yams) and tree crops (bananas)

Slash-and-burn agriculture – clear forest and brush with iron axes and hoes, burned remains and use ash as fertilizer

FAMILY PATTERNS

Nuclear Family – whole family works together as a unit

Lines of Descent MatrilinealPatrilineal

Wider TiesLineage – several families share a common

ancestor Trace back to clans

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Local polytheistic beliefs, based on natural deities Usually have one god or goddess who has

elevated status Christianity Islam

ARTISTIC AND LITERACY TRADITIONS Arts – ivory, wood, bronze

Wove dyed cloth Inscribed bowlsBracelets and neck ornaments for beautyVery symbolic, often tied to religious

ceremonies Literature

Oral and written literatureGriots – professional poets who recite

ancient stories

WHERE THE AFRICANS ARE ENSLAVED

1530 – 1650 Spanish America and Brazil – majority of slavesSpanish America and BrazilEnglish and French

Grow sugar, Caribbean, Jamaica, Barbados,

1550 – 1850 Brazil 3.5-5 millionThe Caribbean islands and sugarVirginia and the Carolinas in N. Am*Muslim traders – 3 million from trans-

Sahara, Red Sea, and E African slave trade