State Building in Africa (1200-1450)

Introduction

• Focus on state-building in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1200 to 1450.
• Key regions: Swahili civilization, Great Zimbabwe, West African states.

Swahili Civilization

• Location: East coast of Africa.
• Origin: Emerged around the 8th century.
• Structure: Collection of independent city-states.
• Economy:
  • Strategic location for Indian Ocean trade.
  • Exported goods: gold, ivory, timber, and enslaved people.
  • Imported goods from African interior.
• Religion:
  • Islam became dominant due to trade with Muslim merchants.
  • Swahili elite converted voluntarily.
  • Influence on Swahili language (Bantu + Arabic).
• Political System:
  • Each city-state ruled by its own king.
  • Competition among city-states due to trade-focused economy.

Comparison with Song China

• Both Swahili states and Song China expanded wealth through trade.
• Hierarchical class structures:
  • China: Confucian ideals.
  • Swahili: Merchant elite above commoners.
• Centralization:
  • China: Highly centralized with an emperor.
  • Swahili: No larger unifying political structure.

Great Zimbabwe

• Location: Further inland in Africa.
• Economy:
  • Participated in Indian Ocean trade, mainly through gold export.
  • Farming and cattle herding as economic staples.
• Architecture:
  • Massive capital city built with wealth.
  • Second largest structures in Africa after Egyptian pyramids.

West African States

• Overview: Rise and fall of centralized empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
• Focus on Hausa Kingdoms:
  • Collection of independent city-states.
  • Gained wealth through Trans-Saharan Trade Network.
  • Resemblance to Swahili states in terms of trade and urbanization.
  • Each state ruled by a king, with social hierarchies.
  • Conversion to Islam to facilitate trade.

Ethiopia: The Exception

• Religion: Christian kingdom amidst predominantly Islamic African states.
• Architecture: Large stone churches commissioned by rulers.
• Economy:
  • Wealth through trade in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean networks.
  • Notable trade commodity: salt.
• Political System:
  • Centralized power with a king at the top.
  • Stratified class hierarchy.

Conclusion

• African states during this period often adopted Islam for societal organization and trade facilitation.
• Ethiopia as a unique case with Christianity as the dominant religion.

Additional Resources

• Mention of AP World Heimler Review Guide for exam preparation.