1 / 8

Comparative Monarchy

This article explores the political and economic characteristics of Western Europe (France) and Africa (Songhai) between 1430 and 1492. It compares the rise to power, political structure, religion, and economics of both regions.

ckerry
Download Presentation

Comparative Monarchy

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Sunni Ali 1430-1492 Comparative Monarchy Western Europe (France) and Africa (Songhay)

  2. Songhai Empire (ca. 1375-1591) France (ca. 1453-1715)

  3. Coming to Power France • Defeated England in 100 Years’ War • Used money and army to consolidate power • Had an army with a cavalry • Used marriage to secure alliances • Used feudal obligations to ensure loyalty Songhay • Expanded control to gold fields of the Niger River • Used taxes, tribute and military support from subordinate areas and villages to ensure control • Sophisticated army containing cavalry, archers and lancers • Navy on Niger

  4. Political Structure • France • Feudal relationships • Developed professional army • Disbanded Parliament • Began using bureaucratic systems • Royal officials sent to help regional administration • Royal judges • Tax collection • Songhay • Originally clan organization • 200,000 man army • Stationed troops in provinces to maintain loyalty and security • Very safe place to visit and trade • Vassal states were intimidated by army and paid tribute • Royal family members used as governors • Established court System • Centralized bureaucracy • Sharia law throughout the empire, Mazarin and Richelieu

  5. Religion France • Edict of Nantes introduced in 1598 by Henri IV- toleration of Protestants (Louis XIV will repeal and persecute) • Majority Roman Catholic • Crusades against Muslims • Persecuted Jews • Cathedral building • Catholic scholarship called scholasticism Songhay • Upper classes in society converted to Islam while majority classes retained traditional beliefs • Sermons emphasize obedience to the king • Timbuktu is a center of Islamic scholarship • Mud-built mosques Romanesque and Gothic

  6. Economics France • Reduced internal tariffs to stimulate trade • Revival of trade and growth of urban centers, artisans and guilds • Agricultural based manorial system with serfs becoming tenant farmers • Agricultural revolution in 11th century with heavy plow, 3-field system, etc • Paris is main city and capital Songhay • Agricultural villages (80% of pop.) • Small farms, no larger than 10 acres owned by individual families • Soil conservation, crop rotation and irrigation make marginal lands productive • Trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, slaves, etc • Julla (merchants) formed partnerships to carry out trade in the region • Urban-centered trade flourished in Gao, Timbuktu and Djenne • Standardized weights and currency • State protected merchants • Book trade • Port cities on Niger River

  7. Culture France (homogenous) • Lavish court at Versailles • Royal support of arts, especially music • Romanesque and Gothic architecture • Troubadours • Tapestries • Manuscripts • Baroque style • University of Paris founded in 1257 Songhay (diverse) • Allowed regional and ethnic differences in provinces • Griots – oral story telling and singing historians • Polygamy common for economic reasons • Lavish court • University in Timbuktu & numerous schools • Mosque architecture is a unique style • Masks • Gold work Book of Hours, 1415

  8. Bottom line… • From 1591 to 1901 various Askias (Emperors) attempted to continue the traditions of the old Songhai empire.  • Finally in 1901 French colonial forces conquered their state, extinguishing the last connection to Songhai’s earlier glory.  Extra Credit! • Compare the political and economic characteristics of a western European nation and an Africa nation between 1450 and 1700. • Plan, write a thesis paragraph & one body paragraph (with analysis) • Turnitin.com by 11:55 Wednesday Dec. 12

More Related