Unit 1 EK's Alston-1

Question 1

What interdisciplinary approach does African American Studies utilize?

Answer 1

It combines an interdisciplinary approach with the rigor of scholarly inquiry to analyze the history, culture, and contributions of people of African descent in the United States and throughout the African diaspora.

Question 2

What historical movements contributed to the emergence of African American Studies as a field?

Answer 2

It emerged from Black artistic, intellectual, and political endeavors that predate its formalization as a field of study.

Question 3

What significant events occurred during the Black Campus movement (1965–1972)?

Answer 3

Hundreds of thousands of Black students and Latino, Asian, and white supporters led protests at over 1,000 colleges nationwide, demanding greater opportunities to study Black history and experiences.

Question 4

What role did Africa play in the history of humanity?

Answer 4

Africa is the birthplace of humanity and the ancestral home of African Americans.

Question 5

What are the five primary climate zones of Africa?

Answer 5

• Desert
• Semiarid
• Savannah grasslands
• Tropical rainforests
• Mediterranean zone

Question 6

What major rivers connect regions throughout Africa?

Answer 6

• Niger River
• Congo River
• Zambezi River
• Orange River
• Nile River

Question 7

What factors contributed to the emergence of population centers in the Sahel and savannah grasslands of Africa?

Answer 7

• Major water routes facilitated trade
• Fertile land supported agriculture and domestication of animals
• Connection of trade between Sahara and tropical regions

Question 8

What were the technological and agricultural innovations that contributed to population growth in West and Central Africa?

Answer 8

• Development of tools
• Cultivation of bananas, yams, and grains

Question 9

What is the Bantu expansion?

Answer 9

A series of migrations of people who spoke Bantu languages throughout the continent from 1500 BCE to 500 CE.

Question 10

What is the significance of the Aksumite Empire?

Answer 10

It emerged around 100 BCE, connected to maritime trade networks, and developed its own currency and script (Ge’ez).

Question 11

What was the role of Mansa Musa in the Mali Empire?

Answer 11

He established the empire as a center for trade, learning, and cultural exchange.

Question 12

How did the Kingdom of Kongo’s conversion to Christianity affect its trade?

Answer 12

It strengthened trade relationships with Portugal and increased wealth.

Question 13

What is the significance of griots in West African societies?

Answer 13

They were historians, storytellers, and musicians who maintained and shared community history and traditions.

Question 14

What syncretic practices emerged from the blending of local spiritual beliefs with Christianity and Islam?

Answer 14

Veneration of ancestors, divination, healing practices, and collective singing and dancing.

Question 15

What characterized the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during its peak?

Answer 15

It was linked to trade on the Swahili Coast and known for its large stone architecture.

Question 16

What role did the Swahili Coast city-states play in global trade?

Answer 16

They connected Africa’s interior to Arab, Persian, Indian, and Chinese trading communities.

Question 17

What was the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the Kingdom of Kongo?

Answer 17

Kongo became the largest source of enslaved people in the history of the transatlantic slave trade.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The majority of enslaved Africans transported directly to North America descended from societies in two regions: West Africa and _______.

Answer 18

West Central Africa.

Question 19

What was Queen Idia’s role in the Kingdom of Benin?

Answer 19

She served as a political advisor to her son, the king.

Question 20

True or False: Women played significant roles in West and Central African societies.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is the significance of the Great Enclosure in Great Zimbabwe?

Answer 21

It was a site for religious and administrative activities.

Question 22

What did the Aksumite Empire exemplify regarding the adoption of Christianity?

Answer 22

It adopted Christianity on its own terms, beyond colonial influence.

Question 23

What was a key feature of the Sudanic empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?

Answer 23

They were renowned for their gold mines and strategic location at trade route nexuses.

Question 24

What was the significance of the Mali Empire’s wealth during Mansa Musa’s reign?

Answer 24

It attracted merchants and cartographers from across the eastern Mediterranean to southern Europe.

Question 25

Who served as a political advisor to her son, the king, in the Kingdom of Benin?

Answer 25

Queen Idia ## Footnote The Queen Mother held significant influence in the kingdom's politics.

Question 26

In which century did Queen Njinga become queen of the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba?

Answer 26

Early seventeenth century ## Footnote This period marked the arrival of the first large group of enslaved Africans to the American colonies.

Question 27

What strategies did Queen Idia use to achieve victories in battle?

Answer 27

Spiritual power and medicinal knowledge ## Footnote These elements were crucial to her leadership and military successes.

Question 28

How long did Queen Njinga engage in guerilla warfare against the Portuguese?

Answer 28

30 years ## Footnote This prolonged resistance was aimed at maintaining sovereignty and control over her kingdom.

Question 29

What was one of the methods Queen Njinga used to expand Matamba’s military?

Answer 29

Offering sanctuary to those who escaped Portuguese enslavement ## Footnote This strategy helped her amass a larger fighting force.

Question 30

In what year did Queen Idia become an iconic symbol of Black women’s leadership?

Answer 30

1977 ## Footnote An ivory mask of her face was adopted as the symbol for FESTAC.

Question 31

What legacy did Queen Njinga leave as a ruler?

Answer 31

Skilled political and military leader ## Footnote Her reign inspired nearly 100 more years of women rulers in Matamba.

Question 32

What was the nature of trade between West African kingdoms and Portugal in the late fifteenth century?

Answer 32

Trade for gold, goods, and enslaved people ## Footnote This trade significantly increased the wealth and power of African kingdoms.

Question 33

How did Portuguese and West African trade affect European presence in West Africa?

Answer 33

Increased the presence of Europeans ## Footnote This led to a growing population of sub-Saharan Africans in Iberian port cities.

Question 34

What roles did free and enslaved Africans serve in Mediterranean port cities?

Answer 34

Domestic labor, boatmen, guards, entertainers, vendors, knights ## Footnote These roles varied widely and included both free and enslaved individuals.

Question 35

What did the Portuguese establish on the Atlantic islands of Cabo Verde and São Tomé in the mid-fifteenth century?

Answer 35

Cotton, indigo, and sugar plantations ## Footnote These plantations utilized the labor of enslaved Africans.

Question 36

By 1500, how many enslaved Africans had been removed from the continent to work on Portuguese-colonized Atlantic islands and in Europe?

Answer 36

About 50,000 ## Footnote This number highlights the scale of the slave trade during this period.

Question 37

What model did the plantations on Cabo Verde and São Tomé provide?

Answer 37

Model for slave labor-based economies in the Americas ## Footnote Their practices influenced the development of similar economies in the New World.