Africa essay Essay

sub-Saharan Africa potpourri and Continuity evidence Summaries Period 31 600-1450 Trade Routes and Their Impacts by Stephanie Lin2 speed of light-1450 Politics by Rebecca Lee-McFadden3 1450-1750 Politics and Economics by Emma Loh4 sub-Saharan Africas Relationship to Global Trade Patterns 1750 to the make by Douglas Chee 5 1450- birth Religion by LJ Ca unlessaje6 1914-Present Formation of field of study Identities by George Kitsios a using evidence from specific countries raise 1Sub-Saharan Africa 600 -1450 Trade Routes and Their ImpactsBefore the 600s, plenty routes in Africa werent utilise nearly as much as they are today after(prenominal) 600s, long distance trade change magnitude and increased social and pagan diffusion At the end of the 600s, the gentlemans gentleman saw the decline of the unmingled period The fall of the classical imperiums such as the Gupta and Han Empires and Rome tolerateed versatile religions to disseminate Before 600 CE, conjunctions exist ed between Sub-Saharan Africa and civilized societies, save were particular Cultural diffusion before the 600s include Africanity and diffusion of Bantu languages As trade routes intensified, Arab traders could spread to previously unreach able-bodied areas using camels and caravans One of the signalise changes that occurred during this period was the influence and spread of Muslim religion and culture and the connection of West Africa with the Muslim World Trade also increased economic prosperity, such as in the kingdoms of gold coast, Mali and Songhai Gold-salt trade between Ghana and Arab devastate traders and the Mediterranean prospered considerably as Ghana had gold but no salt and the Mediterranean had salt but no gold Ghanas king converted to Islam, led to better relations with the Islamic world Indian naval trade led to increased schooling of city-states such as Mogadishu and Sofala Slave trading increased practically continuity accompanied these changesSyncretic con version, which is they kept few of their own beliefs duration converting to a new religion such as intertwining Islam with animism and ancient folklore more than people were lifelessness devoted to ChristianityNomads were still the middlemen between the east and air jacket Same basic routes were still used for trade during this period Africans retain their sense of originality and cultureEssay 2Evaluate the political changes and continuities over time in Sub Saharan Africa from years 100 to 1450. dissertation Sub Saharan Africa went from being made up of small private tribes to large, organized empires. The arriver of new religions also affected the laws and codes Sub Saharan Africans had to follow. Throughout these changes, one continuity was that religious beliefs still played an alpha part in the political structures.Changes-Smaller and decentralized tribes became larger, more organized empires.During 100 CE and earlier, in that respect did non exist organized govern ments. Most societies were clans and tribes control by a tribal leader. Some societies were hunter-gatherer ones. Unification really could not occur collectible to arid environments and ethnicly diverse regions.Larger empires and kingdoms were able to rise because of an increase in interaction and trade between tribes. An increased production of crops and iron tools and artisan goods led to more trading. As tribes traded, slightly grew wealthier and more powerful. These tribes conquered others and took control of regional trade routes becoming more powerful. They and so became larger kingdoms and societies.Ghana and broad Zimbabwe were two examples of this. Their rise to power was due to the wealth earned from trading and controlling trade routes. Eastern urban center States like Zanzibar, Mombasa, and Sofala rose to power because of trading in the Indian Ocean Trading Route. -Religions like Islam and Christianity affected law codesMost of Sub-Saharan Africans followed anim ism. With the arrival of monotheistic religions like Christianity and Islam, law codes were altered. Mali, for example, was an Islamic state. The people under the Mali empirehad to follow Islamic law, sharia and the Quran. The Kingdom of Aksum converted to Christianity under the king, Ezana. Ezana rule his people under the beliefs and teachings of Christianity. Continuities Religious beliefs continued to play a contribution in political structures and law codesWhether the dominating religion was Islam, Christianity, or animism, it still affected how the particular society ran and the laws the people had to follow. Animism also affected tribes politically. Kings and tribal leaders were believed to be decedents of their gods. Religion was all people knew and was so firmly integrated in their lives,. Political structures and law codes were not an exception to this.Essay 3Prompt The period of 1450 to 1750 witnessed important transformations in Africa. Trace authoritative changes and continuities in two of the following areas social, economic, and political. EconomicsChange emergence and ultimate domi domain of the transatlantic slave trade first interactions with Europeans Lusitanian and some African tribes created trade relations that were beneficial to both sides in gold, world markets. WHYEuropean production growth, e.g. Portugals sugar plantations profits went to Africa, virtually slaves were POWsContinuity the profitable trade of raw materials15th C gold, copper, cotton plant textiles, leather works17th C gold, ivory, timberPoliticsChangespolitical alliances with European fo harnessers1500s some African kings were open to European religions (Christianity) allowed access to European firearms and association with advanced societies few were actually committed to Christianity due to sovereign Muslim culture. 17th Century kings profited from the slave trade, cooperative withEuropeans some kings alienated power to the slave trade15th C some common Africa ns started to be kidnapped for the slave trade Continuity monarchies as the dominant governments which hold power throughout Africa. forced Europeans to adhere to African trading customs. unruffled expensive rents from European merchants.prevented Europeans from claiming African territorywere not heavily influenced by Europeans.** not all kings participated in European trade, and a studyity of them did not.Essay 4Sub-Saharan Africas Relationship to Global Trade Patterns 1750 to the PresentSub-Saharan Africa is rich with raw materials precious metals, animal products, plant oils. 1750s main(a) African kingdoms exported gold, copper, ivory, vegetable oils, and animal pelts to various Western powers, in stand in for machine-made products. Lack of industrialization.Huge slave trade from 1750-1867, despite Great Britains attempted abolishment in 1808. Slaves utilized in Western colonies and plantations. unremitting European presence and tight relationship in trade.Scramble for Afri ca intercept of slave trade led to economic weakness, leaving African states defenseless to the European imperialists. Peak of Europeans constant influence.New exports included diamonds and rubber.Africa continued to be a world-wide source for raw materials, due to their continued lack of industrialization. Post WWII nationalistic movements brought independence from European powers, but left political/economic issues for the now decolonized states. Dependency on the overdelicate trade of cash crops, in addition to the lack of industrializationand help one egotism for the now expelled European powers had led to economic backwardness in Sub-Saharan Africa.Essay 5Religious Changes and Continuities in Sub-Saharan Africa 1450-PresentThesis From 1450 to the present, Sub-Saharan Africas religious atmosphere has experient many changes due to the exponential function growth of such global religions as Christianity and Islam in the region, while it has also maintained religious continuit ies in its traditional and established beliefs and practices, by the employ of syncretismChanges and synopsisThere was a large growth in the spread of Islam throughout the region. Because of the way that cultural diffusion occurred throughout various trade routes, Islam easily spread throughout the region and integrated into the cultures of local tribes, without the call for for conquest from the leaders. From 1900 to the present, it grew exponentially, from a few million to more than 300 million, comprising 15% of the worlds Islamic population. Christianity was the other global religion that grew exponentially during this time period. It was first introduced in the 15th century by Portuguese Catholic missionaries who wanted to convert the natives to their faith. Similarly to Islam, in the 20th century, the Christian population in Sub-Saharan Africa rose up, eventually totaling over 470 million, effectively making up more than 20% of the worlds Christian population. This occurre d due to the heavy anti-slavery sentiment and the scramble for Africa which occurred in this time period.Continuities and AnalysisDespite the changes, the people of this region were still able to adhere to their long-time and ancient beliefs and traditions. Many still practice animism, or the belief in the pot likker of nature, and practice rituals such as voodoo. They were able to continue because of the tolerance of the majorglobal religions and also because of their practice of syncretism, in which they incorporated the local religions with these global religions. One last continuity was Christianity in Ethiopia, where the religion was indigenous and was there from the 4th Century CE.Essay 6-Pre WWII, Sub Saharan Africa witnesses substantial changes in the identities of its nations. Largely fueled as a reaction to breakaway movements from European Colonial structures, and a recent surge in nationalism -Many strive towards self governed rule with dreams of liberation influenced by fighting in the name of freedom in the 2nd World War Changes-Ghana-Gold microscope slide was hot bed of nationalism after WWII, desire for British to allow self rule -Took first step through African type in council, but not enough -Many had aspirations for Ghana to become the African United States -Ambitious Goal expanded in 1947, Kwame Nkrumah starts series of boycotts, strikes, etc -By 1957, Gold edge receives full independence, renamed Ghana -Nkrumah 1st president, creates proactive reforms-Kenya-Also governed from a far by the British-Large tot ups of free land in Northern Highlands believed by the aborigine kenyans their own land with their own rights not some prize for Britain. -Movement for Kenyan Independence begins, seeded in nationalism, by Joma Kenyatta, who like others, believed Africa can exactly advance to a higher level if he is free to picture himself, meaning free from external rule -Formation of Mau Mau Guerilla group, more slam-bang approach toward Ken yan national identity, killing 10,000 Africans and 100 settlers in the butt -Eventually, Kenya gains independence in 1963Continuities-One of largest things that stayed the same was the pattern of violence and oppression experienced in inter and intercommunication of African native groups/future nations -Nigeria-Key example, newborn nation that adopts a federal system-Borders did not pay attention to the cultural tensions it put in place among the civilians, would provoke a large amount of controversy -Ultimately leads to a full out civil war suspension loose, amongst a number of ethnic groups forced to live together with no prior notice -Horrible level of instability within the government, provoking soldierly law on some areas. -Outcome of a movement intended to justify resulted in unimaginable violence, and the replacement of one oppressive, ignorant government, with a more familiar one-South Africa-Obtains partial independence from Great Britain by 1931, allowing for self gove rnment (sorta) -White supremacy ends up taking over the reigns immediately til now policies of apartheid run rampant for the next couple of decades -Formation and barring of the African National Congress (ANC)-Misrepresentation in laws/distribution of land-South Africans are 75% of population, but only allowed on 13% of land (slum land too) -ANC and other pro South African Native movements decide to go with a more violent route, yet many end up killed, beaten, or jailed in the 70s and 80s, especially after demonstrations in 1977. -Struggle for accurate republic at hand, no room for reform, and realization of equality not agnise until later on (Nelson Mandela) -Black citizens grossly mistreated in their own homeland, reign of violence and terror overstays its welcome