State Building in Africa (1200-1450)

Sub-Saharan Africa and Swahili Civilization

• Location: East Coast of Africa
• Emergence: Around the 8th Century
• Structure: Collection of independent city-states
• Economy:
  • Strategic position on the coast facilitated access to the Indian Ocean trade.
  • Key trade goods: Gold, ivory, timber, and enslaved people.
  • Goods imported from African interior.
• Religion:
  • Dominant belief system: Islam.
  • Conversion among Swahili elite enhanced trade connections.
• Language: Swahili, a blend of Bantu and Arabic.
• Governance: Each city had its own king, driven by fierce competition.

Comparison with Song China

• Trade: Both expanded wealth through international trade.
• Social Structure:
  • Both had hierarchical class structures.
  • Swahili: Merchant elite elevated.
  • China: Influenced by Confucian ideals.
• Political Structure:
  • China: Highly centralized.
  • Swahili: No unified political structure.

Great Zimbabwe

• Economy:
  • Inland state engaged in Indian Ocean trade.
  • Exported gold; core economy based on farming and cattle herding.
• Development:
  • Constructed large capital city, significant after Egypt's pyramids.

West African States

• Empires: Included Ghana, Mali, Songhai.
• Hausa Kingdoms:
  • Collection of politically independent city-states.
  • Became influential through trans-Saharan trade.
  • Urbanized and commercialized, similar to Swahili states.
  • Rulers converted to Islam to enhance trade.

Influence of Islam

• Facilitated trade and organized societies.
• Adoption widespread among influential African states.

Exception: Ethiopia

• Religion: Christian kingdom.
• Architecture: Constructed massive stone churches.
• Economy: Wealth from trade in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, notably salt.
• Governance: Centralized power, with a king and hierarchical class structure.

Conclusion

• Various African states utilized trade to build wealth and power.
• Islam played a key role in societal organization and trade across many regions, with Ethiopia as a notable exception due to its Christian faith.

Additional Resources

• Check the AP World Heimler Review Guide for comprehensive study material on world history.