1. Lesson 2 Kingdoms and Empires
What was the name of the area where
the first major civilizations developed
and why did they develop there?

2. Where Do People Live and Why?

3. Aksum
• Located in East Africa, 1000 BCE
• African and Arab traders began settling along
the coasts of the Red Sea
– Over time, Aksum came to control trade in the
Red Sea
– Came to power after Nubia fell

4. Aksum
• Trade network that stretched from the
Mediterranean to India
– Ideas traveled as well
– Many people in Aksum became Christian
• Aksum began to decline in the 600's AD and
the Arabs took control of the regions trade

5. Aksum’s Decline
• As Aksum declined West African kingdoms
rose up on the other side of the continent
– Power based on trade of salt and gold
• North Africa had salt, West Africa had gold = trade
• Power and riches to the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and
Songhai

6. Ghana
• Located between Senegal and Niger Rivers
• Controlled trade in West Africa
• Ghana's kings gained wealth by taxing goods
which were traded throughout the area
– Lost control of trade routes and a new kingdom
rose up

7. Mali
• Rose in the mid 1200's in the upper Niger Rive
Valley
– “Where the king lives”
• Controlled gold and salt mines
– Mali's most famous king was Mansa Musa
• 1312 AD, 25-year peaceful reign

8. Mali
• Laws based on the Quran, holy book of Islam
– Islam had been spread through Northern Africa by
the Arab traders
– Muslim make a yearly pilgrimage, a religious
journey, to Mecca
• Mecca is a holy city for Muslims (Islam prophet
Muhammad was born there)
• Mansa Musa brought a large tribute of gold to Mecca
– Displayed Mali's wealth
– Interested Europe

9. Songhai
• Mansa Musa died in 1332 AD
• Mali was declining and eventually was
destroyed by the next kingdom, Songhai
– Songhai became West Africa's most powerful
kingdom
– Wealthy trading cities

10. East African City-States
• Trade also helped East Africa
– Sailed to Indian and China to bring back goods
– Were also exposed to Islam
• Also integrated Arab words into their language
• Grew into powerful city-states

11. Kali
• Powerful city-state
– Rich from trade
– Traders paid large taxes
– 1500's conquered by Portugal so they could build
their own trade empire

12. Zimbabwe
• Another great trading civilization
• “Stone dwelling”
– Peak in 1300 AD
– Upon seeing the ruins in the 1800's, the European
explorers did not think Africans could be
responsible for such feats

13. Period Time Location
Ghana
Mali
Songhai
Kilwa
Zimbabwe

14. Exit Card
What made the kingdoms and city-states in
Africa so powerful?

15. Create Your Own Trade Map
• Using the map template, make a historical
map
• Label the locations of past civilization
• Draw arrows to explain how goods, ideas, and
people moved