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Ancient America and Africa

Explore the rich history of ancient Americas and Africa before Columbus, tracing the origins, cultures, and societal structures of various indigenous groups. Discover the advanced societies of Africa, the diversity of North America, and the unique worldview of these civilizations. Gain insights into the dynamic interactions that shaped the approach of a new global age.

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Ancient America and Africa

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  1. 1 Ancient America and Africa

  2. Ancient America and Africa • The Peoples of America Before Columbus • Africa on the Eve of Contact • Europe on the Eve of Invading the Americas • Conclusion: The Approach of a New Global Age

  3. The Peoples of AmericaBefore Columbus

  4. Origins • Earliest arrivals about 35,000 b.c.e. • Paleo-Indian era: 14,000 to 10,000 years ago • Hunting Pleistocene mammals • Archaic era: 10,000-2,500 years ago • Agricultural revolution • c. 5000 b.c.e. • By about 500 b.c.e. hundreds of small groups

  5. Mesoamerica • Olmec, Toltec civilizations • Aztecs • Capital at Tenochtitlán • Hierarchical society

  6. Expansion of the Aztec Empire

  7. North America • Diversity, many small groups • Pueblo people, by 1200 C.E. • Farming, irrigation • Northwest • Fishing, less agriculture • Plains Indians

  8. An Anasazi Village

  9. River Valley People • Early Mound Builders • Massive complexes • Mississippian culture, from about 600 • Centered at Cahokia • Wide influence, contacts • Disappearance

  10. Mississippian Culture Shrine Figures

  11. Eastern Cultures • Northeast Indians • Mixed agriculture, hunting, fishing • Waterside villages • Southeast • Long-distance trade • Iroquois • Near Lake Ontario • Loose confederation • Longhouses

  12. Worldview • Indian and European attitudes differ markedly • Relationship with nature • Land ownership • Social hierarchy – except for Aztec, Inca • Matrilineal versus patrilineal organization • Gender roles • Role of trade • Religious conceptions

  13. Africa on the Eve of Contact

  14. Central and West Africa • Varied landscape, varied cultures • Nok peoples, modern Nigeria • Ironworking by 450 B.C.E.

  15. Spread of Islam in Africa, c. 1500 C.E.

  16. West African Kingdoms • Ghana • Trade empire • Trade with North Africa • Islam – spreads into Sub-Saharan areas by 1000

  17. West African Kingdoms (continued) • Mali • Grows under Mansa Musa • Timbuku • Songhai • Kongo and Benin

  18. The African City of Loango

  19. African Society • Slavery as a result of warfare or crime • Slaveowning a mark of status • Slaves have rights, not always slaves for life • Slavery not automatically passed on to children • Family the root of individual identity

  20. African Society (continued) • Religion • Animist • Importance of the dead, and intercessors • King at the top of society

  21. Europe on the Eve ofInvading the Americas

  22. Europe on the Eve ofInvading the Americas • Renaissance • Based on trade • Recovery after Black Death of 1300s • Political centralization • But limitations, e.g. Magna Carta • Peasant class in the process of transformation

  23. A Procession in Venice

  24. Centralizing & Expanding • Stronger monarchs create bigger armies • Exploration • Driven by trade motives • Find source of African gold • Portuguese lead exploration • With royal support • Technological advances

  25. Religious Wars

  26. Cahokia

  27. Conclusion:The Approach of a New Global Age

  28. Conclusion:The Approach of a New Global Age • The 1500s in West Africa, Europe, Americas • Development of West African empires • Renaissance Europe • Maritime technology • Aztec and Inca Empires • Mound-building societies decentralizing

  29. Timeline

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