Unit 2: Medieval Africa, Asia and Mesoamerica

1. Unit 2: Medieval Africa, Asia and Mesoamerica By: Olivia Diamond and Keriz Edwards

2. Summary/Overview Unit 2 was about the civilizations in Mesoamerica, the four kingdoms in Africa (Ghana, Nubia, Mali, and Songhay) and Asia.

3. Timeline Africa: Ghana was important on the rivers from about 300 to 1100 A.D. Egypt controlled Nubia from 2000 to 1000 B.C. Nubia conquered Egypt in 800 to 700 B.C. Sundiata ruled Mali from 1230 to 1255 A.D. Mansa Musa ruled Mali from 1312 to 1337 A.D. Sunni Ali (king of Songhay) died in 1492 A.D. Morocco invaded Songhay in the late 1500’s. Genghis Khan: Genghis Khan died in 1227 of illness. Japan: Japanese culture is very old, and the first written records only date back to 1st century B.C. During the 1st century, Japan was not unified as a nation.

4. 4 Kingdoms in Africa Ghana was located between the Niger and the Gambia Rivers. The river helped Ghana with trade. Ghana had salt and gold as natural resources. Muslim warriors fought non Islamic people which caused the decline of the great civilization of Ghana. Nubia(also called Kush) developed along the Nile River south of Egypt. Nubia shared culture traits with Egypt, such as religion, architecture and art. Nubia’s pyramids were smaller and not as neat and perfect as Egypt’s pyramids. They both however used them for tombs. Nubia’s natural resources were gold, ivory, copper, frankincense, and ebony.

5. 4 Kingdoms of Africa Continued… Mali’s king, Mansa Musa, was the greatest king of Mali. He developed the gold and salt trade and Mali became very powerful and rich. Songhay was originally started by Sunni Ali. When Sunni Ali died his son took over but didn’t accept Islam as a religion. Muhammad then overthrew the new king and made himself king. Islam became the religion of Songhay. Songhay remained rich and strong under Muhammad’s rule. The fall of Songhay occurred when Morocco invaded Songhay.

6. Genghis Khan Genghis Khan was so successful because he was a brilliant organizer. He was also a gifted strategist. One of his strategies and war tactics was to use his cruelty as a weapon. Genghis Khan brutally and maliciously hurt and killed people. For example he would attach horses to each limb of a person body and have them ripped apart.

7. Geography of Japan Japan is located on a chain of island called an archipelago. It is roughly 100 miles off the Asian mainland and east of the Korean peninsula. The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikokv. Japan has a mild climate with lots of rainfall.

8. Feudalism is Japan Japanese Feudalism is a loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater lord. Part of the Japanese feudalism system is the samurai and the code they live by. This code is known as “Bushido”. The feudal system is divided into 5 parts. -Emperor: Held highest rank in society but had no political power -Shogun: Second highest rank, and is an actual ruler. -Daimyo: Large landowners. -Samurai: Warriors loyal to daimyo -Peasants, merchants, artisans: Lowest in rank. Creating weapons, food, supplies, etc.

9. Aztec People The Aztec people are polytheistic, meaning they believe in many Gods. They were a band of nomadic people from the north, who migrated into the Valley of Mexico. They established their civilization following a prophecy. The sign they were looking for was an eagle, eating a snake, perched on a cactus. Once they found this sign, they built their capital. It was called Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs believe in and practiced Human Sacrifice. They believe human sacrifice pleases the Gods. Sometimes they would sacrifice their own people. More often, they would sacrifice conquered people. Aztecs created slash and burn agriculture where they made organized lines and burned whatever plant, grass, etc. Afterwards they re-fertilized the land and planted their crops.