Download TROPICAL AFRICA AND ASIA 1200-1500

TROPICAL AFRICA AND ASIA
1200-1500
I. Tropical Lands and Peoples
1. Tropics= between Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. Much
rainfall
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West and Central Africa, most of India
North Africa and NW India mostly dry desert
2. Human Ecosystems
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Tropics cultivated crops like rice, wheat, millet
Arid areas depended on herding and traded for grain
3. Irrigation
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In tropical regions, constructed dams, irrigation canals, and
reservoirs.
4. Mineral Resources
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Tropics used iron for tools/weapons
In Africa, copper very important; used to make wire and
decorative objects
II. New Islamic Empires: Mali
1. Peaceful spread of Islam to
Sub-Saharan Af. by
conversion
2. Economy based on
agriculture and control of
trans-Saharan trade routes
3. Mansa Musa (r.1312-1337)
showed Mali’s great wealth
on pilgrimage to Mecca
4. M M supported growth of
Islam
–
Timbuktu center of Islam and
trade
1375 Map showing trader and Mansa Musa holding a gold
nugget. Caption identifies Mansa Musa as “the richest and
noblest in all the land”.
Africa, 1200–1500
Many African states had
beneficial links to the
trade that crossed the
Sahara and the Indian
Ocean. Before 1500, subSaharan Africa’s external
ties were primarily with
the Islamic world.
II. Continued…Delhi Sultanate
1. Violent arrival of Islam
– Turks conquer between 1206-1236
– destroys Buddhism in India
2. Generally ruled by terror- Hindus never
forgave brutal Muslim rule
3. Southern India still ruled by Hindus
4. Eventually conquered by Timur (Tamerlane,
descendent of Genghis Khan!) in 1398
III. Indian Ocean Trade
1. Monsoon Mariners- used dhows and junks,
improved compass
2. Africa
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Swahili Coast (E. Africa) had common lang.
Great Zimbabwe produced gold for Indian Oc. Trade
in Swahili Coast cities
3. Arabia- Aden and Red Sea
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Aden had central location and large grain production
Trade was unifying factor, but sometimes Christians
(Ethiopia) fought w/Muslims over trade control
4. India- Gujarat and Malabar Coast
•
Gujarat exported indigo and cotton in return for
gold/silver. Also a manufacturing center for textile,
carpets, silk, leather goods.
IV. Social and Cultural Changes
1. Growth of states: Mali, Delhi, African cities,
Ming China, Malay cities (Malacca).
2. Commercial expansion
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Trans-Saharan Trade= growth of Mali
Indian Ocean Trade= growth of Kilwa, Mombassa,
Mogadishu, Aden, Gujarat, Malacca
3. Spread of Islam- made easier due to trade
connections. Unity through trade, not
politically (e.g. Swahili Coast
4. Changes in art/architecture as cultural
traditions and religion (Islam) are diffused
Ruins of Great Mosque, Kilwa
Ethiopia- King Lalibela had churches carved out of
solid volcanic rock
Great Mosque, Mali
5. Language- Arabic spreads to many African
states. Swahili (E. Africa) and Urdu (India)
develop. Both combinations of Islam with
local languages. Urdu main language in
Pakistan today
6. Centers of Learning- Timbuktu, Delhi,
Malacca
7. Islam spreads through trade•
•
destroys Buddhism in India
Develops differently in Africa, India, Indonesia