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Explore the migration paths of Native Americans to the Americas and the rise of civilizations in West Africa through trade and Islamic influence.
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Societies of North America and AfricaNative AmericansandWest Africa Essential Questions: Why and how did Native American migrate to the Americas?
Scientists think that the first Americans migrated, or moved, to the America fromAsia. These ancient people may have crossed a land bridge called Bering Strait. Early migration prior to 22,000 years ago. Less than 12,000 years ago Bering Strait Area covered by ice sheet 21,000. years ago Area exposed by melting ice sheet, 12,000 years ago Some people migrated over the Beringia land bridge. Some people may have migrated by boat.
Native Americans had divided into hundreds of cultural groups, speaking perhaps 2,000 languages. One reason Native Americans were so diverse was that each group adapted to its own environment.
Emergence of Civilizations Environment shaped each group’s economy, technology, and religion. In some regions, Native Americans based their economy on farming. In others, they relied on hunting or fishing. Different environments caused technology to vary. In coastal areas, farmers made tools from shells. In deserts, they used irrigation. Environment affected religion, too. Native Americans strongly believed that certain places were sacred—and that animals, plants, and natural forces had spiritual importance.
Iroquois League In the late 1500s, five northern Iroquois nations took the advice of a peace-seeking man named Deganawida. They stopped warring with each other and formed an alliance. This alliance of the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca was the Iroquois League. The League brought a long period of peace to the Iroquois.
Ghana Grows Wealthy Ghana became the first West African kingdom to grow rich through trade. From the 700s to the mid-1000s, Ghana prospered by controlling the busy trade in gold and salt. Located on the southern edge of the Sahara, Ghana became a marketplace for traders going north and south in search of salt and gold.
Ghana’s king benefited from this trade. He imposed taxes on all gold and salt passing through his kingdom. The taxes had to be paid in gold. The king also claimed all gold nuggets found in his kingdom. Ghana’s king used the resulting wealth to pay for an army and build an empire.
Islam Enters Ghana Many of the traders who came to Ghana from North Africa were Muslims. Muslims are followers of the religion of Islam. Muslim traders crossing the Sahara brought Islam from North Africa to West Africa. Ghana’s rulers allowed those Muslims to build mosques, or houses of worship, in Ghana’s capital, Kumbi Saleh.
Mali Replaces Ghana By the 1200s, another West African kingdom had taken over most of Ghana’s territory. This kingdom, called Mali, became West Africa’s most powerful state. Its wealth also came from control of the gold-salt trade.
Mali’s first great ruler, Sundiata, reigned from about 1230 to 1255. He came to power by crushing a cruel, unpopular leader. Sundiata’s armies conquered many important trading cities. This made Mali’s hold on trade stronger and made Mali more prosperous. Sundiata was a Muslim, but he did not force his people to accept Islam.
Mali’s other great leader was Mansa Musa, was a devout Muslim. Under his leadership, the empire became one of the largest in the world. The legend of Mali’s wealth spread all the way to Europe. This was one reason that Europeans began to trade with Africa. Muslim scholars, artists, and architects helped spread the Islamic culture and learning throughout the empire. The city of Timbuktu in eastern Mali became a leading center of trade and Islamic learning.
