POD Quiz 10 Flashcards
Describe 3 characteristics of life in Great Zimbabwe.
Advanced Engineering Skills
Great Zimbabwe was renowned for its
impressive stone structures, including large walls and towers, built without mortar.
Prosperous economy
The city was a hub for trade, dealing in gold, ivory, and other goods with distant lands like China and India.
Highly Organized Society
The layout of Great Zimbabwe, with separate areas for the royal family and common people, showing a clear social hierarchy.
What challenges do historians face when uncovering information about Great Zimbabwe?
Lack of Written Records
The lack of written records make it difficult to understand the details of society and culture.
Colonial Bias
Early European explorers often dismissed the achievements of African civilizations thinking native people were not sophisticated enough to build such structures
Decay, Looting, and Modern Impact
Parts of the Great Zimbabwe ruins have suffered decay and looting, which has led to the loss of valuable artifacts
Describe 3 possible reasons for Great Zimbabwe’s decline.
Internal Conflicts and Leadership Struggles
Within the kingdom, power struggles and disputes among leaders likely lessened leaders’ power, contributing to the kingdom’s decline as it became unable to manage new challenges that it faced.
Changes in the Environment
Over-farming and overgrazing around Great Zimbabwe may have led to the land becoming worse
Shortages of resources like water and building materials and as the population grew there weren’t enough resources to support its population
Shifting Trade Routes
Possibly, changes in trade routes lessened Great Zimbabwe’s role as a central trading hub, making its economic power and influence weaker.
Why is recognizing bias important to understanding history?
Opens up New Views
Understanding bias allows history to be seen from multiple viewpoints, not just the dominant narrative, which can be limited or skewed.
Promotes Critical Thinking
Recognizing bias encourages questioning of sources and looking deeper into historical accounts, leading to a better understanding of events.
Ensures Fairness
Acknowledging bias helps correct historical inaccuracies and injustices, giving voice to those who were previously held down or overlooked in historical accounts.
Describe how the Swahili Coastal Trading States served as a melting pot of cultures.
Crossroads of Culture
The Swahili states were a crossroads, blending African cultures with Arab and Asian traders, creating a unique culture (dress & food).
Language and Religion
Swahili culture emerged from a blend, with Swahili language incorporating Arabic words
Islam became the dominant religion due to Arab influence
Architectural Styles
The city-states were a mix of African, Arab, and Asian architectural influences, seen in mosques, palaces, & houses
Explain the impact the Portuguese had on the Swahili Trading States.
Disrupted Trade
The Portuguese wanted to control the spice trade, so they took over sea routes and built forts. This disrupted the trade networks that the Swahili city-states used to make money.
Economic Strain
By forcing taxes and controlling trade, the Portuguese made it hard for local businesses, leading to a decline in the wealth and power of these trading states.
Beginning of European Influence
The actions of the Portuguese started a period where European countries became very interested in Africa, significantly impacting its history.
How did European intervention affect African states’ politics and trade in the 15th century?
Trade and Economic Changes
European intervention led to major changes in African economies and trade networks, as Europeans introduced new goods and trade routes that often destroyed local economies.
Slave Trade
The European demand for slaves dramatically transformed African societies, shifting the focus of trade towards the transatlantic slave trade, which had devastating effects.
Increased Conflicts
The competition for control of trade routes and resources, fueled by European intervention, led to political instability and increased conflicts among African states.
What does the term “Bantu” refer to in African history?
A group of indigenous peoples speaking Bantu languages
The Swahili language is a result of blending which cultures?
Bantu African and Arabic
What is the origin of the country name “Angola”?
A title used by rulers of Ndongo
What does “subjugation” often refer to in a colonial context?
The forceful domination of indigenous peoples
Who are considered indigenous people?
The first inhabitants of a region with their own traditions
What is colonialism?
When one country takes over another for its resources
What is colonial bias?
Thinking that makes colonial ideas seem better