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Summary GES 120 SECTION A STUDY NOTES
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GES 120 THEME 2-6 STUDY NOTES, SECTION A. PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE NOTES WERE WRITTEN USING STUDY GUIDE, READERS, AND CLASS NOTES. THEY ARE RELIABLE
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Theme 2 – Physical Africa History and Geography are intertwined. Africa’s present and past is shaped by
geography and the environment. We can see this with the East African coast
[placid seas and favourable wind patterns led to maritime trade; BUT they
also suffered sea invasion], something that the west (central) and southern
Africa did not experience [isolation]. Basically, the environment determines
what one can(not) do.
Geography influences African history. “Africa is divided by nature into various
regions such as deserts, rainforests, mountains and savannas. These factors
influence how people behave, think about their relationship to the environment
and ritualise their experiences”. Origins of humankind, economies, state
formation, war & competition, trade, resources & exploitation are some factors
shaped by geography.
Africa is very much diverse than what people ‘assume’ it to be. “Different
things were occurring in different parts of the continent at different times with
different outcomes”. An example of this would be; sedentary agriculture and
state-level societies developed many years earlier in the Nile Valley than the
Southern Africa due to environmental factors [different cultural and societal
developments].
Facts about Physical Africa
Second largest continent after Asia (30 065 000 km2)
Extends from 37°N and 35°S, divided by the equator in the middle.
Tropic of Cancer (north) and Tropic of Capricorn (south).
Pear shaped continent with the Northern Africa being twice the size of
the south.
Can fit various countries (USA, China, India, New Zealand, Italy to
name a few).
From the north to south of Eastern Africa, we find the Nile river and the
Great Rift Valley (from Red sea to Lake Turkana in Kenya).
Sahara (north- Red Sea to Atlantic stretch. 25% of Africa). Namib and
Kalahari (south) deserts. Sahel is the transition zone between the
Sahara and Sudanic savannah.
10 zones namely:
, 1. North Africa
2. Sahara belt
3. Sahel
4. Guinea coastlands – extensive contact with Europeans in 15 th
century; kingdoms developed and grew [due to new trade
opportunities- slaves sold for firearms].
5. Central Equatorial Africa – no kingdoms before colonial period
6. East Africa – access to Indian Ocean trade route
7. South Central Africa – large kingdoms developed
8. Southern Africa
9. Madagascar and Comoros
10. Islands in Atlantic Ocean
African history taught in schools are represented as (1.) part of the
Portuguese circumnavigation of Africa, European navigation [external
dimensions of African history, NOT African history itself]. (2.) Mainly focus on
Ancient Egypt history (glorification of African history), Shaka Zulu, great
empires of Ghana/Mali [the “Great African past” helps correct African
stereotypes but keeps the old approach of ‘great men/states/events’ going
and not show the link between Africa and the world; isolation].
Intercommunication zone: a term for the geographical area in which polities
engaged in an exchange of ideas, developments, diseases etc. etc. It
originated in the Middle East and Eastern Hemisphere before expanding to
the rest of the world over time.
It allows us to see how Africa fits in with the rest of global history.
North and North-Eastern Africa were part of this due to their
geographical location (easy access to Middle Eastern areas) but
eventually, Sahel, West Africa, East Africa, Central-Southern Africa
joined during the colonial period [more isolated].
The western hemisphere were isolated by the Atlantic and Pacific
ocean.
Physical geography influenced the timing and nature of the expansion
of the intercommunication zone within Africa (see Theme 2 table
worksheet).
, Phases of Africa’s Historical Evolution (R Hunt Davis)
Origins of History: Humankind first emerged on Africa due to the
favourable environment conditions. The oldest hominid fossil found is
6-7 million skull (Chad) and Lucy [3.18 million years old].
Homo habilis [2 million years ago] in Eastern Africa. Early use of stone
tools.
Homo erectus [1.6 million years ago] replaced other hominids due to
being able to adapt. More sophisticated stone technology, organized
hunting and using fire,
Homo sapiens [200 000 years ago] displaced other hominid groups
(today’s humans). Much more sophisticated technology e.g. Bone
tools.
Food production and metallurgy enabled human society to advance to
more complex stages.
Ancient World: Egypt is the leading civilisation. There was a profound
African influence in the form of Egypt. The Nubian Nile region was part
of the ancient world. The Kingdoms of Kush, Meroe and Aksum were
part of the intercommunicating zone.
Post Classical World: Intercommunicating zone did not end as
Africa’s involvement took on new forms such as North Africa being
under the influence of Islam in the 7 th century (decline of Roman west
in 5th century), penetrating into the West African interior. Islam
displaced Christianity in North Africa (Arabization). There was also a
strong Islamic influence on East Africa’s coast (via Indian Ocean
trade).
The trans-Saharan trade network was born due to North Africa looking
southward across the Sahara to the Sahel (arrival of camels). Sudanic
states converted to Islam (Mansa Musa); therefore, Arabic was the
principal language.
Atlantic World: Portuguese explorations linked the Indian Ocean to
the Atlantic Ocean. On the west coast of Africa, the explorations
brought the coastal zones and hinterlands into the intercommunicating
zone. Therefore, there was a gradual reorientation of trade from the
Sahara to the Atlantic.
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