The Story of Africa
CHAPTER 8.1: Diverse Societies in Africa (p. 213)
A Land of Geographic Contrasts
1. How large is Africa in terms of length, width, and square miles?
Africa is 4600 miles east to west and 5000 miles from north to south. 11.7 million square miles
total.
2. What other geographic features can be found on the African continent?
Deserts, lakes, Sahel, savanna’s, rainforest, mountains, and narrow coastlines.
Challenging Environments
3. Describe the Sahara Desert:
Small parts are sand dunes, and mostly flat, grey wasteland of rocks and gravel size of the U.S.
4. Describe the rain forests in Africa:
Sense canopy from mahogany and teak trees. Tsetse fly and lots of rain.
Welcoming Lands
5. What is a savanna and why was it good for agriculture?
Savanna is a grassy plain – Has dry and rainy season. 40% of the land in Africa is savanna and some
areas are very fertile land.
Early Societies in Africa
Local Religions
6. What is animism?
A religion in which spirits play an important role in regulating daily life.
Djenne-Djeno : Oldest known it in Africa
7. What did archeologists find at Djenne-Djeno (be specific)?
Copper hair ornaments, clay toys, glass beans, and iron knives, stone bracelets.
CHAPTER 8.2: Migration (p. 220)
8. Define the following:
a. Migration: A permanent move from one region to another.
b. Push-pull factors: Factors that push people of one region and pull them into another.
c. Bantu-speaking peoples: People who originally lived in the savanna south of the Sahara
desert (Nigeria), but moved/migrated south and east.
CHAPTER 8.3: The Kingdom of Aksum (p. 225)
The Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum
9. Where was the Kingdom of Aksum located? Present day Eritrea and Ethiopia – East Africa near
the Red Sea. It was located south of Kush, on a rugged plateau… often called the Horn of
Africa.
The Origins of Aksum
10. According to legend, who can the founding of the kingdom of Aksum be traced back to?
The Ethiopian royal dynasty to the son of King Solomon (of ancient Israel) and the Queen of Sheba
(a country in southern Arabia). That dynasty lasted until the last ruler died in 1975. The first
mention of Aksum in books was a Greek book dates around 100 AD.
A Strong Ruler Expands the Kingdom
11. Describe the accomplishments of Ezana:
Ezana was a strong ruler in Aksum between 325 and 360AD. He conquered the Arabian
peninsula and Aksum became the center for trade between Africa, Arabia, and East Asia and
it’s main city and port, Adulis, attracted many traders and merchants.
Aksum Becomes Christian
12. How did Aksum become Christian?
This very diverse culture became Christian beginning with their belief in one god. They were also
animists in early Aksum, but Christianity took over with the rule of Ezana – he was influenced by a
Christian from Syria. Ezana converted and made it the official religion of the Empire, establishing a
stronger hole on his empire – today, many in this area are still devout Christians.
The Fall of Aksum
13. How did Aksum fall?
After a successful 800 years of achievements, the kingdom finally declined due to Islamic invaders
and Muslims took over the territory of Aksum.
CHAPTER 15.1: North and Central African Societies (p. 409)
Hunting-Gathering Societies
Social Structure
14. Who typically served as group leader?
Stateless Societies:
15. Define the following:
a. Lineage:
b. Stateless societies:
c. Patrilineal:
d. Matrilineal:
Mulsim States
16. Describe the effect Islam had on Africa and the Maghrib:
CHAPTER 15.2: West African Civilizations (p. 413)
Empire of Ghana
17. How did the kingdom of Ghana come to be?
18. What two trade goods were very important to Ghana?
Land of Gold
19. How did Ghana’s king interact with chiefs of surrounding lands?
Islamic Influences
20. How did Islam affect Ghana?
Empire of Mali
21. What was Mali’s wealth built on? How did this affect trade routes?
Sundiata Conquers an Empire
22. Who was Sundiata?
Mansa Musa Expands Mali
23. Who was Mansa Musa?
24. Social History (Box p.417) How did Islam affect West Africa? Women?
CHAPTER 15.3: Eastern City-States and Southern Empires
(p. 422)
East Coast Trade Cities
24. What two things combined to form the Swahili language?
Islamic Influences
25. In what ways did Islam influence East Africa (list several)?
Southern Africa and Great Zimbabwe
26. Who built the city called Great Zimbabwe and what was the empire built on?
Great Zimbabwe
27. Where was Great Zimbabwe located?
28. How did Great Zimbabwe become the economic, political, and religious center of the empire?
The Mutapa Empire
29. Why did Mutota leave Great Zimbabwe? What lands would the Mutapa Empire control?
CHAPTER 27.1: The Scramble for Africa (p. 773)
Setting the Stage
30. What is imperialism?
Africa Before European Domination
The Congo Sparks Interest
31. Who was Dr. Livingstone? Who found him?
32. What affects did King Leopold II and the Belgians have on the people of the Congo?
Forces Driving Imperialism
Belief in European Superiority
33. What is Social Darwinism?
Factors Promoting Imperialism in Africa
34. What factors contributed to the European’s conquest of Africa?
The Division of Africa
35. What discoveries increased European interest in colonizing Africa and in what years?
Berlin Conference Divides Africa
36. What was decided at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85?
Three Groups Clash over South Africa
The Boer War
37. Who fought in the Boer War?
38. What was the result of this conflict?
CHAPTER 35.2: The Challenge of Democracy in Africa (p. 1040)
South Africa Under Apartheid
Apartheid Segregates Society
39. What is apartheid?
40. Who was the minority government comprised of?
41. Who is Nelson Mandela? What happened to him?
Struggle for Democracy
The First Steps
42. How did Nelson Mandela get out of prison?
43. What major event happened in April 1994?
Majority Rule
44. What party won the election of 1994? Who was elected president?
A New Constitution
45. What did the new constitution of 1996 provide?