and Empires During 400 AD, West Africa witnessed the rise and fall of the indigenous medieval empires of ancient Ghana, medieval Mali, and Songhai. Many other states and kingdoms arose during this time but Ghana, Mali and Songhai achieved the status of fully-fledged, functioning and long-living conquest states and expansionist empires. These empires regulated the Trans-Saharan trade by offering protection for trade caravans as well as taxing slaves, gold, firearms, textiles and salt. Ghana reached
language to the Sudanic empires, which became known as centers of learning and culture. The invasion of Ghana by the Muslems along with a disastrous series of droughts that dried up the vital Bagana and Wagadu Rivers helped to plunge the empire into economic decline; and it became easy prey for hordes of conquerors who completed its destruction by the thirteenth century. After the fall of Ghana, a Black state called Mali became the successor power in West Africa. The king of Mali formed alliances with
During the eighth century throughout the late sixteenth century, one trade route entranced everyone involved from the Mediterranean to the Africa’s. The Trans – Saharan Trade was an important trade route that ran across the Sahara between the Mediterranean countries and West Africa. In the beginning stages of the Trans- Saharan trade many small trade routes were being used throughout the period. this is because travelling across the Sahara before the domestication of the camel was difficult. The
Eurasia. However, the only parts of the trade that were affected were the northern parts between Europe and Asia, because the Mongols concentrated on mostly China, Russia, and some parts of Eastern Europe. By the 1450s, the gold-salt trade started to decline, and soon, the center of trade started to shift away from the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. This was because the age of exploration started in Europe, and trade concentrated more towards the Atlantic Ocean. Even though these aspects describe
greatest wonder of the world was built by Egyptians: the pyramids. Also, some of the greatest thinkers like Socrates, Pythagoras, and Plato went to Egypt to studies. Egypt was not the only empire in Africa. Others sophisticated empires were located in the west region of Africa. The first major west African state was Ghana originated during the fourth century After A.D (Harris p.52). The early Ghanaian society was an organized society which had like Egypt a political system. The kingdom was prospered for
African civilizations and the spread of Islam The lower part of Africa below the Sahara, that area was never really isolated but it was hard and difficult to contact. Between 800 and 1500 C.E the contact with the “outside world” grew intensely. “Social, religious and technological changes took place that influenced many of the different people throughout the vast and varied continent.” Meaning that there was a lot of changes that helped transform the continent to what it is today. “African societies
thinking and values, etc. African music, dance, art, religion are the most common culture that people know. Unlike what I know about Africa, Africa is not poor everywhere. Even Mali, one of the poorest country in the world now, was very wealthy about 600 years ago. Mali was under Ghana Empire’s control before, but Mali Empire was established by Sundiata after the decadence of
bridge between Asia and Europe. The Silk Road (130 BCE to 1453 CE) consisted of links of trade routes of about 7000 kilometers, established during the Han Dynasty of China and it is considered the major economic achievement of this Dynasty. The Han empire was constantly being threatened by the nomad tribe Xiongnu from the North and at the time of emperor Wudi, it was decided that under the leadership of Zhang Qian, the first delegation would sent out West in 138 BC in order to form an alliance with
African Slave Trade The African Slave Trade was a massive system of Europeans taking African Americans and selling them into slavery. The African Slave Trade began in the 15th century. This slave trade put Africa in a weird relationship with Europe that cause the depopulation of Africa, but it increased the wealth of Europe. At first trafficking humans only occurred in Europe: They would enslave each other and then sell them off. Some Enslaved Africans had already reached Europe, the Middle
between the 9th and 11th centuries, Ghana took pride on being one of the richest areas in Africa. Geographically, they were literally sitting on a gold mine. The dogs wore gold collars, horses had silk bridles, and Ghana’s kings were easily some of the richest in the world. This medieval Ghana was located about 500 miles north of present day Ghana, and was referred to as the Gold Coast for obvious reasons. Far more advanced than any country in its time, Ghana was a trading hotspot with a powerful