West Africa Research Paper

The development and growth of civilizations in African history were contradicted by several American and European historians in the sixteenth and early twentieth centuries. The reason for this lack of understanding is because the focus was mainly on Europe’s chaotic society at the time. In addition, Africa didn’t have physically written documents to present their actual history. Instead, it was orally passed down. This is why historians have falsely concluded that Africa was an uncivilized “Dark Continent.” But what does it mean to be civilized? A group of people is characterized as civilized when they are organized as a society, and able to advance it. Since West and East Africa were able to develop advanced forms of economy, education, and government, they are characterized as civilized

From the 1500s to the 1700s, African blacks, mainly from the area of West Africa (today's Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Dahomey, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon) were shipped as slaves to North America, Brazil, and the West Indies. For them, local and tribal differences, and even varying cultural backgrounds, soon melded into one common concern for the suffering they all endured. Music, songs, and dances as well as remembered traditional food, helped not only to uplift them but also quite unintentionally added immeasurably to the culture around them. In the approximately 300 years that blacks have made their homes in North America, the West Indies, and Brazil, their highly honed art

WH9 Kaulike Jansen Africa DBQ January 6, 2016 Before the Europeans arrived to the empires, kingdoms, and cities of Africa, the African civilization flourished in many achievements with Art, political status, trade, and culture. The Africa we know today is not like the Africa we knew before the Europeans arrived in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Africa traders have used their skills to trade with other lands. Beautiful cities were built with an advanced political structure like the city of Kilwa. They even maintained a thriving culture.

“Before the war, I had a very simple childhood…..and that changed very quickly” (Ishmael Beah-Child Soldier). Imagine the life of an American child, then think, what was life like for a child in Sierra Leone in 1991?... Abuse and torture, leaving you breathless. A child soldier who thereafter, lives with the emotional effects of war looking for a pathway to humanity. If he survives, the flashbacks will haunt him, yet he journeys on. Welcome to childhood... in Sierra Leone.

When African Americans would first come to the Caribbean Islands, they would go through great lengths to escape before they were taken away from Africa. Many would jump overboard during this passage in hopes of returning to their homeland. Others would starve, drown themselves, committing suicide in belief that they would return to Africa in their after life. Enslaved people thought anything including death would be better than slavery in the islands. This happened in one out every ten voyages to the Americas. African slaves were determined to recreate their African societies. They wanted to separate themselves from the whites and not lose sense of their African culture and traditions. Some slaves even said that they would runaway to get to Africa. Heuman states, “ that they would proceed to the sea at night and remain in the bush through the day and the first canoe they found, they would set sail for their country.” (Heuman, 65-76)

Benin is a French-speaking country in West Africa. It is a fascinating place and is the birthplace of the vodun or “voodoo” religion. It’s also home to the former Dahomey Kingdom dating from 1600 – 1900. Even though it is a small country it does have a few large cities and beckons to tourist to explore its impressive architecture, museums and markets. A trip here will bring you many adventures, a look at amazing wildlife and relaxing on great beaches.

Since the arrival of Europeans the Caribbean islands have been going through constant change. The loss of native peoples and the introduction of the plantation system had immediate and permanent reprocussions on the islands. The Plantation system set up a society which consisted of a large, captive lower class and a powerful, wealthy upper class. As the plantation systems became successful labor was needed in order to progress. Slavery became the answer to the problem. Slavery played an important role in the how the economy changed the islands because there was a

Robert Mugabe spent ten years in prison before assuming the presidency of Zimbabwe. Instead of learning from his time in prison, he brought all his poor habits of corruption to the country of Zimbabwe (“Zimbabwe’s” 1). During his powerful rule, Zimbabwe faced many different situations within his country. Within the first few years of Mugabe being president, Zimbabwe started to have some political and economical issues. Whether or not the issues are a direct correlation to Mugabe being president is unknown, but the timing is impeccable. Money was starting to disappear within the government causing an economic crisis, and Zimbabwe was having massive poverty and inflation increases. These issues led to the conspiracy of a corrupt government

The lives of the people in the Southwest Asia and North Africa region has changed drastically in the last century. With improved health care and high birthrate, the region’s population has grown rapidly. Making one-third of the population in most countries under the age of fifteen. A large number of people of the region have moved to urban areas. This change in the lives of the people have made it difficult for them to maintain their cultural values as technological advances continue. Religion is an important part of the lives of the people in the region. Many religions have emerged in the Southwest Asia and North Africa region. The vast majority of the people in the region are Muslim, worshipers of Islam. Islam originated in Southwest Asia

The Republic of Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa where the power lies with the people. They have a governmental system which is somewhat similar to that of the United States. They hold elections, have certain requirements for candidates and have two primary political parties, though a third is fighting for a chance in power. It is divided into several districts and provinces and has fairly good relations with many other countries. Sierra Leone is also existing proof that colonization can have beneficial effects on a country without nearly, or completely, eliminating a way of life.

Angola is a large country, not quite than twice the size of Texas, located in Southwestern Africa. The country is bordered by the South Atlantic Coast, with four major ports, as well as by several other African countries including but not limited to Namibia and The Democratic Republic of the Congo. Angola has many different types of terrains and landscapes, full of rivers and mountains, as well as climates, from damp and tropical to dry and desert-like. The country is full of rich natural resources and is promising for a variety of types of agriculture therefore making it a hot commodity during the “Scramble for Africa” after The Berlin Conference.

Angola is the seventh largest country in the continent of Africa with much diversity in its culture throughout its areas. Angola is located in the south western part of Africa, along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. With over 21 million people, Angola many norms and values that are not seen in the United States’ culture.

The flag of Malawi consists of three colors which are red, green, and black. The red represents the blood shed for the independence of Malawi, the green symbolizes the vegetation of Africa, and the black represents Africa and its people. The sun rising represents a new day of freedom and hope for the people of Africa.

In December 2013, the first cases occurred in Guéckédou and Macenta districts, the focus of

The Atlantic slave trade provided a means for laborers that were used in the Caribbean.