Africa Flashcards
Decline of the Songhai Kingdom
reviously having control of Trans-saharan trade after the Mali empire decline. They instituted slave labor from previous period. They declined because Moroccan army with muskets marches south and opens fire. Songhai was unprepared and the northern regions were unprepared. People took the opportunity to to revolt and separate. Break up into small regional coastal kingdoms→ Ashanit (wealthy gold miners). They became trading partners with Portuguese. The ashanti depended on gold trade, and enslaved people became a major exporter.
Dutch Conquest of Southern Africa
Looking to take control of routes around africa and establish a colony at cape town. Their relationship was wishy washy. They defeat the natives, Khoikhoi or Hottentots, with gunpowder weapons. They use natives as labor forces on ranches and farms.
Portuguese Conquest of East Africa
Vasco de gama, of the portuguese, fought with local forces twice. He came with cannons the second time to Kilwa. He took out all power of africans in the swahili states by 1505. Portuguese were never again able to control trade through fortified ports, but did disrupt trade patterns enough to send the city states into decline and never recover. Institution of slavery continued from previous period.
Songhai Administration
articipated in Trans-saharan trade for gold, textiles, and metal goods. Slaves. Emperors were all muslim and valued it as a cultural foundation to gain legitimization. They funded madrasas, maintained islamic univeristy, and supported mosques. Provincial administrators appointed governors (watch over those who he overthrew.
Fulani
Rise to Power
in 1600’s, these pastoral people settled in cities and practices a strict form of islam like they practice in north africa and arabia. It was more orthodox, no magic, spirits, and adopted chaperoning and veiling. Laid the groundwork for new roads of islamic states in Sub0saharan africa and conversion from the 1700’s.
Fulani
Use of Islam to Gain Power
Led military campaigns to establish islamic states and impost strict form of islam on West Africa. Helped to control the people under one religion.
Gender changes in Africa
Women leave homes and take on male jobs in addition to domestic chores. Polygamy increases since there are less men, resulting in status loss.
Population Increase in Africa
Was a population surge from 34 million to 60 million because of better and new crops, like manioc flour which was starchy and healthy, used in bread. Also had peanuts.
Kingdom of the Asante
They were started as small coastal kingdoms who were wealthy gold miners. They grow stronger than their neighbors thanks to the wealth and weapons they got from the Portuguese and Europeans. They unifed cheifdoms into a pilitical and military state under Osei Tutu. They centralized military and made a constitution. They depended on gold and slave trade. They recieved luxury goods from Europe. However, in the late 1700’s, they were in a state of war with their neighbors to aquire more salves. The british invaded and captured the Kumasi until 1902.
Kingdom of the Kongo
Rise to Power
Advisors of the Portuguese provided military garrison, gunpowder and weapons. Used trade to increase wealth and political power. They also used Christianity to establish closer commercial relationships. In exchange for textiles, weapons, advisors, and artisans, they traded copper, ivory, and slaves.
Kingdom of the Kongo
Decline
The relationship with the Portuguese deteriorated after they started to trade with other kings, cutting off their access to wealth and guns. The portuguese quickly defeated the Kongolese army, the kingdom disintegrating.
King of Ndongo (Angola)
Rise to Power
Portuguese traded directly with tribes capturing slave, so no Kongo Middlemen. It was cheaper to buy slaves. The locals convert to Catholocism to attract Portuguese merchants. It was a syncretic form and finds home in Cuba. Portuguese try to establish direct control over region, making it the 1st European country in africa.
Kingdom of Ndongo (Angola)
Rebellion
Queen Nzinga leads unsuccessful rebellion to stop Portuguese, but had an amazing battle strategy. After she died, it all deteriorated.
Traditional Slavery in Africa
How one became a Slave
Usually gets conquered by other kingdoms. Happened in Ndongo where they were in a constant state of warfare just to aquire slaves to fill in the demand for labor. Conquered people were used as slaves.
Traditional Slavery in Africa
Status of slaves within tribes
Always deemed less than, treatment was less than ideal. They were usually war prisoners from other rival tribes that were used for labor.
