Development of African Civilizations

1. Development of African Civilizations Chapter 7-1

2. The Impact of Geography • After Asia Africa is the largest continent stretching some 5000 miles & is almost completely surrounded by two oceans & two seas • Africa is also made up of several distinct geographical zones -The Northern part of Africa is washed by the Mediterranean Sea & is very mountainous -South of the Med is the worlds largest desert, the Sahara -To the East is the Nile River, Egypt, & the Red Sea • The tropical rain forest gradually gives way to plateaus & eventually deserts in the south

3. Climate Africa contains four different climate zones • A mild climate zone stretches across the northern coast & southern tip of the continent • The moderate rainfall & warm temperatures provide ideal conditions for farming • Deserts form another zone which cover approximately 40% of Africa • The two largest deserts are the Sahara in the north & the Kalahari in the south • A third zone is the rain forest that stretches across the equator & makes up about 10% of the continent • A fourth zone would be the savannas • This zone is covered in broad grasslands, small trees, & shrubs • This zone covers 40% of Africa

5. Emerging Civilizations & Religions • Between seven & eight thousand years ago hunter, gatherers began to domesticate animals & grow crops • This was called the Agricultural Revolution, which would give rise to Africa’s first civilizations, the Kush & Axum, as well as to Egypt

6. Kush • By 2000 B.C. a busy trade had been established between Egypt & an area to the south known as Nubia • The Kush economy was first based on farming but later developed into a major trading state • Key goods included iron, ivory, gold, ebony, & slaves

7. Axum • Axum would replace the Kush Kingdom in about 150A.D. • It was because of trade rivalries that King Ezana invaded & conquered the Kush • Axum was located in present day Ethiopia & founded by Arabs who continued both Arab & African cultures • Axum owed it prosperity to its location on the Red Sea as it was a major trade center between India & Mediterranean

8. Rise of Islam • In 641 Arab forces captured Egypt & by the 700’s ruled North Africa’s coast west to the Strait of Gibraltar • Muslims also controlled lands along the Red Sea • Their relationship with Axum was basically peaceable • This would change by the twelfth century as the Muslims began to move inland to control trade in slaves & ivory