Chapter 13: Tropical Asia and Africa

What problems would arise for people living in the tropics?

Geography

Located on the edge of the Sahara

African grasslands Tropical rain forests Climate is warm year

round, there is a WET and a DRY season

Monsoons (seasonal winds) affect trade and agriculture. HOW?

Human adaptation

Societies developed based on how they made use of plants and animals of their physical environment– Camels in the Sahara– Fishing on the coasts

Ranged from hunters and gatherers to herders

Water systems

Where water was abundant = large populations

Constructed dams, irrigation canals, and reservoirs

India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka constructed huge water – control projects susceptible to natural disaster

Mineral Resources

Iron for agriculture, weapons, and needles.

Copper important to Africa for wire and art, also known for gold supply.

Metalwork provided work for ordinary people and supported the economy.

New Islamic Empires

1. Mali in Western Africa

2. Delhi Sultanate in India

Islamic Mali

Spread to Africa through peaceful conversion and trade.

Sundiata – Muslim leader of the Malinke people established the Kingdom of Mali– Controlled the gold mines of the Niger River

headwaters

Mansa Kankan Musa – leader who went on a pilgrimage to Mecca

Declined in the 15th century due to rebellions

The Delhi Sultanate in India

– Muslim Turkish conquers took over in 1206 – 1236 by Sultan Iltutmish

– Passed throne to his daughter Raziya, but driven from power by men unwilling to accept female leadership

– Sultans ruled through terror.– Timur the Lame destroyed Delhi in 1398

Indian Ocean Trade

Monsoon Mariners– 1200 – 1500 by the

prosperity of Latin Europe, Asia, and Africa

– India to Southwest Asia – Junks dominated trade routes

– Each region had a major port for trade and supplying particular goods

Africa; Swahili Coast and Zimbabwe

1500 ce = 30 to 40 city states in Africa

Swahili is a language that mixes Arabic and Persian

Kilwa – a city famous for gold

Zimbabwe’s economy rested on agriculture, cattle herding, and trade.

Declined because of deforestation and overgrazing.

Arabia; Aden and the Red Sea

Aden had enough rainfall to produce wheat

Central location for trade in the Persian Gulf, East Africa, and Egypt

Common intterest in trade allowed various religions and peoples to live in peace

India; Gujarat and the Malabar Coast

Gujarat exported cotton and indigo in return for gold and silver

Manufactures leather, silk, carpet, and textiles.

Malabar coast exported cotton and spices

Southeast Asia: the Rise of Malacca

Strait of Malacca is a passage from Indian Ocean to the South China Sea

14th century gangs of Chinese pirates preyed on the strait

1407 the Ming Dynasty crushed the pirates

Architecture, learning, and religion

African and Indian mosques are an example of the synthesis of middle eastern architecture.

Local rock carvers in Ethiopia carved 11 churches out of solid rock.

Spread of Islam brought literacy to Africa along with Greek science, math, and medicine.

Timbuktu, Delhi, and Malacca were centers of Islamic learning.

Islamic destruction of the last Buddhist center in India led to the spread of Islam in India

Islam itself changed in Africa, India, and Indonesian societies as it spread.

Social and Gender Distinctions

Slavery increased in Africa and India. 2.5 million African slaves were transported across the Sahara between 1200 –1500

Most slaves were trained for specialized work – copper mining, while women would be household servants and entertainers

Large numbers of slaves meant the price was lowWomen’s status was determined by their male mastersSpread of Islam may have had some effect on

women’s rights.

Atlas Assignment

TITLE = Indian Ocean Trade 600 – 1500Label – Strait of Malacca, Kilwa, Timbuktu,

Mogadishu, India, Delhi, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, and Turkey.

COLORS – Delhi Sultanate, Islamic Mali, Southeast Asia, Islamic Middle East

10 other symbols (like Chinese Pirates or Monsoons)