1.3 Africa and Europe

Question 1

What are some different ways of organizing communities that Africans used in the period 1200-1450?

Answer 1

Africans organized communities using various systems like elders’ councils, sodalities, chieftaincies, kingdoms, city-states, and confederations.

Question 2

What group of people were particularly influential in the governing of Swahili city-states?

Answer 2

Swahili city-states were ruled mostly by merchant families, with merchants having significant influence over trade policies.

Question 3

What kinds of factors helped individuals to elevate themselves to be chiefs and then kings in the southern African region that included Great Zimbabwe?

Answer 3

In southern Africa, individuals rose to power by controlling cattle, forming alliances through marriage, and dominating trade.

Question 4

What kinds of factors helped individuals to elevate themselves to be chiefs and then kings in the Congo River region?

Answer 4

In the Congo River region, kings emerged to settle disputes due to population growth and increased trade.

Question 5

Tyo was a Confederation. Kongo was an empire. What was the difference? What were the similarities?

Answer 5

Tyo was a confederation of smaller kingdoms, while Kongo was a centralized monarchy. Both relied on trade and religious figures for power.

Question 6

To what extent does this article explain how and why states in Africa developed and changed over time?

Answer 6

The article extensively discusses the development and change of states in Africa, highlighting factors like population growth, trade dynamics, and societal structures.

Question 7

What factors stand out to you as particularly distinct and important in the way communities were organized in Africa in this period? How do these seem similar or different to other parts of the world you have studied for this period?

Answer 7

Factors like lineage-based systems, chieftaincies, and city-states were distinct in African communities, while similarities can be drawn with other regions in terms of trade networks and governance structures.

Question 8

What were the various forms of government and social organization in Africa during the 13th to 15th centuries?

Answer 8

Chieftaincies, kingdoms, confederations, and empires.

Question 9

How was Africa connected to Eurasia during this period?

Answer 9

Africa was connected to Eurasia through trade, conflict, and shared values and beliefs.

Question 10

What challenges exist in identifying general patterns of community organization in Africa during this time?

Answer 10

Diversity among African societies and misconceptions about African communities make identifying general patterns challenging.

Question 11

What were some common systems of community organization in Africa during this period?

Answer 11

Lineage-based systems, sodalities, chieftaincies, kingdoms, city-states, and confederations.

Question 12

What type of state emerged along the Indian Ocean coast during this era?

Answer 12

City-states, collectively referred to as the Swahili states, emerged along the Indian Ocean coast.

Question 13

What characterized Swahili societies during this period?

Answer 13

Swahili societies were characterized by the blending of Bantu-speaking communities with Islamic religion and Arabic script, thriving on trade with Arab and Indian merchants.

Question 14

How were Swahili port cities governed during this time?

Answer 14

Swahili port cities were often governed by kings from wealthy merchant families, with power primarily held by the merchant communities.

Question 15

What factors contributed to the development of large states in southern Africa?

Answer 15

Factors such as the control of cattle, trade with Swahili merchants, and the demand for gold contributed to the development of large states in southern Africa.

Question 16

What was the significance of Great Zimbabwe in southern Africa?

Answer 16

Great Zimbabwe dominated a large gold-producing region and played a crucial role in the trade network, especially with the Swahili city-state of Sofala.

Question 17

What factors led to the emergence of large states like Tyo and Kongo in the Congo River basin?

Answer 17

Population growth, trade expansion, and the need for dispute resolution contributed to the emergence of large states like Tyo and Kongo in the Congo River basin.

Question 18

Who was Mansa Musa, and why might he have had a problem with his portrayal in the first photo?

Answer 18

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire, possibly the wealthiest man of his time due to his control over goldfields. He might have had a problem with his portrayal in the first photo because it depicts him with European symbols of kingship, such as a crown and a scepter, which were not typical in West African culture.

Question 19

Examine the map shown in the article. What does it tell us about settlements of communities in the Sahel?

Answer 19

The map in the article shows several Sudanic states and their locations in West Africa during the 9th to 11th centuries. It reveals the distribution and settlements of communities in the Sahel, indicating the establishment of various kingdoms and states in the region.

Question 20

What is the Sahelian state model? What is its significance?

Answer 20

The Sahelian state model refers to the political organization and governance structures of states in the Sahel region of West Africa. It is significant because it demonstrates common elements shared by these states, such as reliance on long-distance trade, densely populated grain-producing centers, and religious pluralism.

Question 21

What is religious pluralism? How is it relevant to understanding west African communities?

Answer 21

Religious pluralism refers to the coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices within a society. In West African communities, it is relevant for understanding the inclusive approach to religion adopted by rulers, who allowed the practice of Islam alongside local non-Muslim religions, fostering diversity and tolerance.

Question 22

What are some of the arguments for and against considering Mali an empire?

Answer 22

Arguments for considering Mali an empire include its control over a vast territory, wealth from trade, and dominance in the gold trade. Arguments against include the decentralized nature of governance and the inclusive treatment of conquered peoples, which may not align with traditional notions of empire.

Question 23

Describe the extent to which this article explains how and why states in Africa developed and changed over time.

Answer 23

The article provides a comprehensive explanation of how states in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, developed and changed over time. It highlights the emergence of various kingdoms and states, their reliance on trade, governance structures, and religious dynamics.

Question 24

Based on the evidence in this article, what was unique about the states of West Africa in this period, and what features did they share with states in other regions?

Answer 24

West African states in this period were characterized by their reliance on long-distance trade, densely populated centers, and religious pluralism. They shared similarities with states in other regions in terms of governance structures and economic dependencies on trade networks.

Question 25

How does this article support, extend, or challenge your understanding of the “state” when viewed through the filter of the governance theme?

Answer 25

This article extends understanding of the concept of the “state” by illustrating diverse governance models and political structures in West Africa. It challenges conventional views by highlighting the complexities of state formation and the interconnectedness of African societies with global trade networks.

Question 26

John Green points out that most sub-Saharan African histories were preserved by oral tradition rather than written down. He also says there is a prejudice against oral tradition. What evidence does he use to argue that oral tradition is in fact important?

Answer 26

John Green argues that oral tradition is important because literary artifacts like the Iliad and the Odyssey were composed and memorized orally for centuries before being written down. He also challenges the prejudice against oral tradition by highlighting the engagement with spoken language, as viewers do when watching his videos.

Question 27

Who was Mansa Musa, and why was his hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) so significant?

Answer 27

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the West African empire of Mali, and his hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) was significant because he embarked on this journey with a large entourage and an immense amount of gold, leaving a lasting impression on the cities he visited and contributing to the myth of West Africa as a land of wealth.

Question 28

What was Mali like when Mansa Musa ruled it, in terms of both politics and religion?

Answer 28

During Mansa Musa’s rule, Mali was a large empire stretching from the coast into the interior of West Africa, politically ruled by Mansa Musa and later by his successor, Mansa Suleyman. Islam was the dominant faith among the elite, while traditional African religions persisted among non-Muslim populations.

Question 29

What kinds of states were built along the eastern coast of Africa at this time, and how were they linked?

Answer 29

Along the eastern coast of Africa, city-states known as Swahili civilization emerged as autonomous urban centers connected by trade networks. They were linked by common language, trade routes, and the adoption of Islam by the elites.

Question 30

For a long time, scholars incorrectly believed the Swahili city-states in east Africa must have been founded by Arabs, rather than local Africans. Why did they believe that, according to John Green?

Answer 30

Scholars previously believed that the Swahili city-states were founded by Arab or Persian traders, underestimating the agency and sophistication of local Africans. However, it is now recognized that these cities were established before the arrival of Islam and had engaged in trade since the first century CE.

Question 31

What kinds of goods and other resources were traded through the Swahili city-states?

Answer 31

The Swahili city-states traded a variety of goods and resources, including raw materials like ivory, animal hides, and timber. They also exported gold and slaves, albeit in smaller numbers, and imported finished luxury goods such as porcelain and books.

Question 32

To what extent does this video explain how systems of belief and their practices affected society in the period from c. 1200 to 1450?

Answer 32

The video provides insights into how systems of belief, particularly Islam, affected society during the period from c. 1200 to 1450. It discusses the spread of Islam in West Africa, its adoption by elites for prestige and commercial connections, and its synthesis with traditional African religious practices.

Question 33

Why do you think two different kinds of states formed in different African regions (large empires in the interior of west Africa and city-states along the coast of east Africa)?

Answer 33

Different kinds of states formed in different African regions due to various factors such as geographical location, economic specialization, and cultural influences. In West Africa, large empires like Mali emerged due to control over lucrative trade routes and the adoption of Islam by ruling elites. On the eastern coast, Swahili city-states developed as trade hubs, influenced by Bantu migrations, Arab traders, and the adoption of Islam.

Question 34

How is Mansa Musa’s life evidence of a wider network connecting societies in multiple regions in this period?

Answer 34

Mansa Musa’s life serves as evidence of a wider network connecting societies in multiple regions during this period. His pilgrimage to Mecca brought him into contact with various cultures and societies, contributing to the exchange of ideas, goods, and knowledge across different regions of the Afro-Eurasian world.

Question 35

What role did agriculture play in the emergence of kingdoms in the West African Sahel?

Answer 35

Agriculture played a significant role in the emergence of kingdoms in the West African Sahel by supporting large populations, necessitating governance and organization, and creating centers of trade and power.

Question 36

Who was Mansa Musa, and why is he renowned in history?

Answer 36

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the state of Mali in the 14th century and is renowned for his immense wealth, control over goldfields, and his famous pilgrimage to Mecca, during which he distributed vast amounts of gold, leaving a lasting impression on the Mediterranean world.

Question 37

What were the major elements common to the Sudanic states of West Africa during the 9th-11th centuries?

Answer 37

The major elements common to the Sudanic states of West Africa during the 9th-11th centuries were reliance on long-distance trade, control over densely populated, wet, grain-producing centers, and the management of religious diversity, particularly the coexistence of Islam and local, non-Muslim religions.

Question 38

How did Mali emerge as a dominant power in West Africa, and what characterized Mansa Musa’s rule?

Answer 38

Mali emerged as a dominant power in West Africa under the leadership of Sunjata, who defeated the Susu and expanded the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa’s rule was characterized by immense wealth derived from control over gold trade, significant influence in the region, and his famous pilgrimage to Mecca.

Question 39

Describe the diversity of states and kingdoms in Africa, pre-1500 CE, beyond Mali and the Sudanic states.

Answer 39

Beyond Mali and the Sudanic states, Africa had diverse states and kingdoms, including large kingdoms like Benin, the Yoruba and Igala states in the forests, the Kitara kingdom in the mountains of Central Africa, the kingdom of Ethiopia ruled by a Solomonic dynasty, and the extensive states in Southeast Africa like Great Zimbabwe.

Question 40

The author argues that Europe was “barely an idea” in this period, but that it was slowly becoming a reality. What sorts of things were widely shared among Europeans?

Answer 40

Catholicism, the prevalence of the manorial system, and political fragmentation were widely shared among Europeans during this period.

Question 41

How did climate change in Europe during this era, and how did this affect Europeans?

Answer 41

The Medieval Climate Anomaly brought warm, stable weather until the early 14th century, followed by the Little Ice Age, characterized by cold, wet, and unstable weather, leading to turmoil in Europe.

Question 42

What was the manorial system?

Answer 42

The manorial system was a socio-economic arrangement based on villages and surrounding agricultural lands, where peasants worked the land in exchange for protection and access to resources under the control of local lords.

Question 43

What was the feudal system, and what were its political implications?

Answer 43

The feudal system organized relationships between local leaders (lords) and kings, characterized by reciprocal obligations and hierarchies. It resulted in decentralized power structures with lords granting land and resources to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military support.

Question 44

What seems different or especially important about how European communities were organized from 1200 to 1450? Do these factors seem similar or different to other parts of the world you have studied for this period?

Answer 44

European communities from 1200 to 1450 were organized around the manorial system and feudal hierarchies, with political fragmentation and power dispersed among local lords and elites. These factors are similar to other parts of the world during this period, characterized by agrarian societies and feudal structures.

Question 45

To what extent does this article explain the causes and consequences of political decentralization in Europe from c. 1200 to 1450?

Answer 45

The article explains the causes and consequences of political decentralization in Europe from c. 1200 to 1450 by highlighting the devolution of power to local elites, resulting in fragmented governance structures and the weakening of central powers.

Question 46

What characterized the transition of Europe from a vague concept to a defined reality between 1200 and 1450?

Answer 46

Europe transitioned from a vague concept to a defined reality between 1200 and 1450, characterized by Catholicism, a widespread agricultural (manorial) and social system (feudalism), and political fragmentation.

Question 47

How did Europe experience growth and expansion between the 10th and 14th centuries, and what were the contributing factors?

Answer 47

Between the 10th and 14th centuries, Europe experienced remarkable growth marked by population increase, commerce expansion, flourishing arts and culture, and the rise of cities, driven by increased access to trade, ideas, and people from across Afro-Eurasia.

Question 48

What were the consequences of the Black Death on Europe during the 14th century?

Answer 48

The Black Death, bubonic plague, struck Europe in the late 1340s, causing widespread deaths and reversing population growth, with some estimates suggesting a population decline of up to half between 1300 and 1400.

Question 49

How did climate change from the Medieval Climate Anomaly to the Little Ice Age affect Europe during this era?

Answer 49

Europe experienced a shift in climate from the warm and stable Medieval Climate Anomaly to the cold, wet, and unstable weather of the Little Ice Age during the 14th and 15th centuries, impacting population growth and expansion.

Question 50

What was the structure and function of the manorial system in Europe from 1200 to 1450?

Answer 50

The manorial system in Europe from 1200 to 1450 was characterized by villages as basic political, religious, and economic units, legally controlled by powerful local figures or associations who claimed a portion of labor and produce from the villagers.

Question 51

How did feudalism organize political relationships between local leaders and kings, and what were its implications for political fragmentation?

Answer 51

Feudalism organized political relationships between local leaders and kings by granting lords authority over provinces in exchange for promises of military support and governance, resulting in a fractured society of hierarchies and obligations.

Question 52

What were the characteristics of Europe’s fractured society during the period of 1200-1450?

Answer 52

Europe from 1200 to 1450 was politically decentralized and fragmented, with power devolved to local elites such as nobles, church officials, city councils, and knights, leading to a system of devolved powers and divided hierarchies known as feudalism.

Question 53

What legacy did the period of 1200-1450 leave on European communities, and how did it shape future developments?

Answer 53

The period of 1200-1450 left a legacy of basic structures related to agriculture, social organization, political divisions, and long-term growth, laying the groundwork for rapid changes in the early modern period.

Question 54

How does the author describe states and religion in the Islamic world?

Answer 54

In the Islamic world, relationships between government and religion were often closely intertwined. Religious figures served as judges (qadi) under rulers’ patronage, while rulers funded Islamic schools and temples. However, mystical movements like Sufism emerged as a challenge to oppressive rulers, leading to persecution by Sunni and Shi’a leaders.

Question 55

How were Buddhism and Hinduism different?

Answer 55

Hinduism and Buddhism differed in their approaches and structures. Hinduism was polytheistic and centered around the worship of many gods, with a powerful priestly class (brahmins). Buddhism, on the other hand, emphasized personal enlightenment and did not focus on gods or priestly authority.

Question 56

Why did Buddhism and Daoism often prove troublesome for the Chinese state? What did the Song dynasty promote instead and why?

Answer 56

Buddhism and Daoism posed challenges for the Chinese state as they did not emphasize obedience to the state. Instead, the Song Dynasty promoted Confucianism, which emphasized social hierarchies and loyalty, reflecting cosmic relationships between Heaven and earth.

Question 57

What are some ways that rulers and religious leaders cooperated and clashed in Christian Europe?

Answer 57

In Christian Europe, religious leaders and rulers often formed alliances, such as in the Byzantine Empire where Orthodox Church patriarchs and emperors worked closely together. In Catholic Europe, priests and monks provided rulers with professional services, advice, and legitimacy. However, there were tensions between the Catholic popes and powerful kings, leading to competition for influence and even excommunications.

Question 58

The Mongol Empire conquered people of many different religions across Eurasia? How did the Mongol state treat these conquered peoples?

Answer 58

The Mongol Empire treated conquered peoples of various religions differently. While they allowed religious freedom and often tolerated local religious practices, they also imposed taxes and sometimes persecuted certain groups, such as the Sufis in the Islamic world.

Question 59

How did belief systems impact society and the state from c. 1200 to 1450 CE?

Answer 59

Belief systems impacted society and the state by influencing political structures, social hierarchies, and cultural practices. Religious leaders often served as advisors to rulers and provided legitimacy to political authority, while mystical movements could challenge oppressive regimes.

Question 60

It’s been a while since the fifteenth century, but religions still play a major role in our world today. Sometimes they’re involved in government, sometimes they are supposed to be separate. Can you think of any ways that the history in this article might have influenced the ways we think of religion in the twenty-first century?

Answer 60

The historical interactions between state and religion during the period of c. 1200-1450 CE continue to influence contemporary perceptions of the role of religion in governance. The close ties between religious leaders and rulers, as well as the tensions between religious and secular authority, have shaped discussions on the separation of church and state and the role of religion in public life in the twenty-first century.

Question 61

What characterized the relationship between government and religion in Afro-Eurasia during the 13th to 15th centuries?

Answer 61

The relationship between government and religion was generally close but sometimes conflicted during the 13th to 15th centuries. Rulers often supported religious institutions and claimed divine authority.

Question 62

How did the Islamic world demonstrate a strong connection between state and religion during this period?

Answer 62

In the Islamic world, the relationship between state and religion was strong. Despite the dissolution of the Caliphate, Islam remained dominant, with rulers aligning with Sunni or Shi’a sects for religious authority.

Question 63

What were the main differences between Sunni and Shi’a sects in the Islamic world, and how did they influence religious authority for rulers?

Answer 63

Sunni and Shi’a sects provided different sources of religious authority for rulers, with Sufism sometimes opposing oppressive rulers, leading to united persecution by Sunni and Shi’a leaders.

Question 64

How did religious pluralism manifest in South and Southeast Asia during the 13th to 15th centuries, particularly regarding Hinduism and Buddhism?

Answer 64

South and Southeast Asia exhibited religious pluralism, with Hinduism forming strong alliances with rulers and Buddhism spreading rapidly, influencing various schools of thought.

Question 65

What philosophical system did the Song Dynasty promote in China, and why did they prioritize it over Buddhism and Daoism?

Answer 65

The Song Dynasty prioritized Confucianism over Buddhism and Daoism, as it emphasized social hierarchies and loyalty, aligning with the government’s focus on stability.

Question 66

In what ways did rulers in Christian Europe collaborate with religious leaders, and what tensions existed between them, especially concerning the Catholic Church’s political influence?

Answer 66

In Christian Europe, rulers collaborated with religious leaders for legitimacy and support, but tensions arose over political influence, exemplified by conflicts such as the dispute between Emperor Frederick II and Pope Innocent IV.

Question 67

How did excommunication serve as a significant tool for the Catholic Church in influencing rulers and maintaining spiritual authority?

Answer 67

Excommunication by the Catholic Church served as a potent tool to influence rulers and maintain spiritual authority, compelling rulers to negotiate and avoid potential unrest among their Catholic subjects.