africa pt2 Flashcards
(28 cards)
What geographic area did the kingdom of Aksum arise in?
Horn of Africa, modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea
Why was Aksum’s location considered perfect for trade?
Access to the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Nile River valley
What was the main trading port of Aksum?
Adulis
Which goods were commonly exchanged in Aksum’s trade?
- Salt
- Ivory
- Cloth
- Brass
- Iron
- Gold
- Glass
- Olive oil
- Wine
Who was Ezana and what was his significance to Aksum?
A strong king who expanded Aksum’s territory and control over trade in A.D. 325
What cultural influences shaped Aksum’s society?
Blending influences from the Horn of Africa and southern Arabia
What is Ge’ez?
Aksum’s written language that became the basis for modern Ethiopian languages
How did Aksum adapt its landscape for farming?
By building terraces
What language developed as a result of cultural interaction in East Africa?
Swahili
What was the role of Kilwa in East African trade?
An important trading town where Asian merchants bought goods from African merchants
What led to the establishment of the Shona Empire?
Settlement of Bantu-speaking peoples in the Limpopo River valley
What does the term ‘zimbabwe’ mean?
Houses of stone
What was the largest settlement of the Shona Empire?
Great Zimbabwe
What are the three main sections of Great Zimbabwe?
- Valley Ruins
- Hill Complex
- Great Enclosure
What was the significance of the Great Enclosure in Great Zimbabwe?
Believed to be a home for kings and queens
What was Great Zimbabwe’s role in the gold trade?
Center of the international gold trade, taxing travelers and demanding gold from leaders
What factors contributed to the decline of Great Zimbabwe?
- Drought
- Overuse of grazing land
- Shift in trade networks
What was the capital city of the Kongo kingdom?
Mbanza
How did Portugal first interact with the Kongo kingdom?
Through trade of copper, iron, and ivory for guns and manufactured goods
Who was Afonso I and what changes did he implement in Kongo?
Ruler who adopted Portuguese ways, made Roman Catholicism the official religion, and altered the political system
What was the impact of the slave trade on Kongo?
Drained West Africa’s population and led to instability in Kongo
What did Afonso I request from the Portuguese king regarding the slave trade?
To stop the enslavement of Africans
What led to Kongo cutting itself off from Portugal?
Growing instability and negative effects of the slave trade
Fill in the blank: The Shona established a thriving empire in the valley of the _______.
Limpopo River
