We have already discussed Africa in regard to the slave trade. Today we will look at the multiplicity of societies that existed in Africa before European colonization. We will be working on our discussion skills and essay writing skills as well.
Question of the Day
How were African societies similar before 1700 similar and how were they different?
Focus Questions
What were the economic, social, political, and geographic characteristics of North and Central African societies?
What were the economic, social, political, and geographic characteristics of West African societies?
What were the economic, social, political, and geographic characteristics of East African societies?
What were the economic, social, political, and geographic characteristics of Southern African societies?
The vocabulary below is related to the work you are doing today and would be worth using in your paragraph. In a few classes you will have write an assessment in which you have to identify three of these that I will choose. Here is an example of an ID:
Alps: The Alps are a mountain range in southern Europe (France, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland). They were significant to European society between 1300 and 1750 because they were one of the physical landforms that made it difficult for Europe to be politically centralized under one government. Europe’s decentralization was a key to its economic development.
Historical Connection: Physical geography is important to the development of civilizations. Just as the Alps influenced the development of Europe, we have studied that the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers had an impact on the development of settlements and life in Mesopotamia.
Stateless societies
Patrilineal
Matrilineal
Maghrib
Ghana
Gold-Salt trade
Mali
Sundiata
Sahara
Mansa Musa
Ibn Batuta
Songhai
Sunni Ali
Askia Muhammed
Hausa
Yoruba
Benin
Swahili
Great Zimbabwe
Mutapa
You should have read Chapter 15 in World History: Patterns of Interaction (blue textbook) and completed this graphic organizer.
There will be a reading assessment at the beginning of class that you will work on cooperatively with your partner.
We will have a scored discussion on this topic.
You will write an intro paragraph at the end of class responding the the question of the day: How were African societies before 1700 similar and how were they different?
Watch the video and listen to the two podcasts linked below. Record any details that could help you in writing tomorrow's paragraph.