Throughout history, geographic factors have affected the way people interact with their surroundings. Deserts and monsoons have affected specific regions such as North Africa and South Asia. These geographic factors have shaped the way these regions developed throughout history. The Sahara desert affected the development of North Africa. The Sahara’s large temperature range and small supply of water can make the region difficult to thrive upon. However, it is not impossible. As stated in document 2, temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees fahrenheit and supplies of water are scant. Journeying through the Sahara was very difficult until the camel was introduced for travel. As stated in document 2, the camel could travel long distances …show more content…
Therefore, traders don’t have to carry as much food specifically for the camels. The camel was used to spread the religion of Islam. As stated in document 2, the powerful new force of North Africa was Islam. Islam is a religion that originated in the Middle East and is very popular in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Mansa Musa had used the camel to spread Islam and go on a hajj to Mecca. This is an example of ecological effects. Timbuktu also benefited from the arid climate of the Sahara as well as the use of camels. Timbuktu had become very wealthy due to the Gold and Salt trade which took place during the fifth century CE. Gold and salt had a very high demand at the time and lead to a golden age in Timbuktu. They were the center of trade and education due to long distance trade along the Trans-Saharan trade routes. The Sahara desert is not completely waterless and many cultures have developed from the Mediterranean Sea and Niger River. As stated in document 1, the desert has excellent supplies of water to support rich culture and gain livelihood. Many successful cities have …show more content…
This is an example of continuity. Mesopotamia developed in the Indus valley and had a large supply of water from the Indus river. Egypt developed along the Nile river and was very wealthy in 2700 BCE. China developed on the Yellow river in 2000 BCE. Timbuktu developed on the Niger river in the Sahara desert which supports the claim that all successful regions need a supply of water for things such as farming and trade. All the regions stated had a golden age and a growth in technology. The Sahara has benefited regions in many ways, however, there are some disadvantages to living in the desert. As stated in document 3, desertification is a huge problem in the Sahara desert and the whole continent of Africa. It has affected 1.2 billion people and more productive land is being lost each year. Although it is not stated in the document, only 40% of Africa is farm land. This is a small number and it is only getting smaller. Desertification is caused by overgrazing, climate change, droughts, and deforestation. Desertification will lead to even more poverty which is an ecological effect. It will also lead to less food sources and water in Africa. This is a huge turning point for places like the Sahara desert because it impacts so
He decided to improve the status of his land on his arrival from a pilgrimage from Mecca in 1324. Furthermore, he transformed his trading city of Timbuktu to a center of learning and religion and built a mass, which set a new style of architecture in West Africa. “Caravans of Gold” underlines the importance of Timbuktu because it concentrated on African scholarship, politics, teaching theology, and Islamic law. Timbuktu was a significant place in Africa during this time because it became a market right after and made a profit for the region. Likewise, it was a religious, cultural, and profitable center whose people traveled north across the Sahara through Morocco and Algeria to other parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. According to The History of Africa, “Because of his devotion to Islam, Mansa Musa strengthened Islam and promoted education, trade, and commerce in Mali” (Asante, 2014, pg. 135). It was a successful center for the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade and grew as the center of Islam. This statement launches the truth that Timbuktu supported Islamic values and knowledge because it was a city most well-known for the education of important scholars whose backgrounds were of Islam. Asante supports the fact that Mansa Musa was effective in reforming the city of Timbuktu and the trade in that area. Asante also states that “Musa did not forget the control of the gold and salt; it was fundamental for the
During the period 1550-1800, the colonization of the Americas by European civilizations led to massive shifts in economic power from the West to East and vice-versa. An increase in global competition among western civilizations and against their asian counterparts drove Europeans to search for wealth elsewhere, and thus colonizing the Americas. One of the easiest ways to generate a profit, increase a civilizations wealth, and ultimately their military power was through the silver trade. In monopolizing said trade, Europe was able to establish a somewhat steady economic connection to the very wealthy Asian civilizations. However, european nations were struggling to keep control of the silver trade out of Asian hands, which caused major shifts
Between 1450 and 1750, many majors changes were going on in Europe and South Asia. In Russia, strong leaders such as Peter the Great and Catherine the Great made various social reforms. In the Middle East, the Gunpowder Empires were flourishing and spreading Islam. In China and Southeast Asia, several power struggles occurred, as well as European trade starting. Although these changes affected society and created unity and conflict, religion being part of politics created both unity and conflict in Europe and South Asia through the Protestant Reformation and the policies of some of the policies of some Mughal rulers.
Ever since unfair British legislation, such as the Intolerable Acts, led to the American Revolution, banding together as a group proved effective in making a change. Organized labor is only another example of how sizable groups make more of an impact on large corporations than one person does. Labor unions improved the positions of workers by causing employers to think twice about wages, giving legal recognition such as lowering work hours and drawing attention to the issue of child labor. The increase in awareness that organized groups caused is what ultimately decided the court case of Muller v, Oregon in 1908, which made it illegal for women to work for more than ten hours a day.
During the years of 3500 BC to 2500 BC, the geography of a land often impacted a civilizations development in great measures. Depending on the resources available or the detriments present due to certain topographical characteristics like rivers or deserts, a civilization could flourish or collapse. By studying the geographic features of growing societies like the Nile, Euphrates, and Tigris Rivers as well as the Mediterranean Sea of Egypt and Mesopotamia, the link between developing cultures and geography will be examined through sources, including Egypt: Ancient Culture, Modern Land edited by Jaromir Malek and Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek. To determine the extent of its influence, this investigation will attempt to compare and contrast the role of geography in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, focusing on the civilizations’ various periods of development and settlement.
Enslaved Africans were most successful in creating communities in the Chesapeake. Most slaves that were born in America lived in the Chesapeake, and so English became a common language which allowed a rapid development in the culture. Some tobacco farmers wanted to increase the workforce by purchasing woman slaves and encouraging large families among the slaves. They were least successful in the West Indies and the Carolinas because there were many different tribes of Africans with many different languages, which made it hard for the slaves to interact with one another, which was the goal of the owners because that way they would focus more on the work. Also, the labor force of growing rice was much more difficult. The Africans in the Carolinas
Around the beginning of the sixteenth centruy, many countires had started to explore farther away and finding new territories. New products like sugar and taobacco began to emerge around the world in many places. Many countries in Europe were gaining power due to the control of colonies in the Americas. Asian countries did not explore as much, but still managed to remain large and powerful for a while. The global flow of silver had economic effects on inflating prices of goods and stimulating econimic policy of mercantilism, and social effects on negative effects on the lower class around the world during the mid-sixteenth century to the early eighteenth century.
Economic ways started in the nineteenth century, still have a hold on the countries of the sub-Sahara today. These countries are all impoverished and have seen horrific civil wars, however, the general consensus is that they are making slow improvements in their economy. The starvation, overpopulation and health problems are still very evident. Perhaps continued assistance coupled with education and protection will keep them on the road to stability and more rewarding lives for their citizens.
In 1685 there sparked a new age in Europe, the Enlightenment. During this time enlightened thinkers brought forth enhanced ideas of equality. Men, woman, rich, poor, monarchy, or peasant, everyone should have equal rights. In 1789 France was especially influenced by the new ideals. The french realized that they were still following the social ladder of the feudal system. They could not buy bread because of the raised prices, but the Monarchy was eating a feast for every meal. They had no say in what happened to their government, and their inadequate king kept making poor decisions. You might even say they took the enlightenment to the next level and started a revolution based on equality. Although the french were fighting for freedom (like the enlightened thinkers), they were not using reason or tolerance, two key elements of the Enlightenment.
The Nile’s geography impacted Ancient Egypt and its civilization. There were the deserts surrounding the Nile, the Sea, and the Nile River itself. To the east and west of the Nile there were deserts that could help protect the Ancient Egyptians and prevent
The desert has very few natural resources and in many ways is not conducive for human life. It is extremely hot during the day with little or no cover from the sun, it is very cold at night, it does not lend itself to agriculture nor game animals for the most part it is a miserable place to be. Why then does one of the first cities in the world develop there? UR was located in a fairly unique region of the desert in a land know as Mesopotamia. This region is located between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. What made this position unique was that these rivers would cause massive flooding in this area, which carried with it tremendously rich soil perfect for sustaining agriculture for many thousands of people. This constant stream of fresh rich soil allowed continued replanting suitable for large stationary population, what was necessary was t...
In Ancient Egypt they use the Nile River and the Sahara Desert in some many ways that benefited them. Ancient Egypt was divided into two land different land, the black land and red land. The black land was the fertile land that the Nile River made and the red land was the desert of Egypt. They use the Nile River for the fertile soil that was left after the river was not flooded, so that they could use that fertile soil for growing crops. They would also use the Nile River for fishing, washing their clothes, and sometimes they would trade with others for resources that they needed. The Sahara Desert was used for protection against other invading armies. The climate was always hot and very dry; this is what made it really hard for farming if you lived in the desert area.
The spread of Islam in Africa had taken course from a number of factors, including external and internal forces. After my analyzing of the spread of Islam in Africa, I have gather three main themes that stuck out during the expansion of Islam: Islam and trade, the conversion conditions of Islam, and the economics/political development involving Islam. These three themes provide great insight on how Islam started to spread through out Africa. Through trade the culture and religion of Islam was spread to many different areas. This correlates to the conversion of different people, which helped spread Islam. By these conversions Islam was able to establish Islamic states, which played a factor in the development of strong economic and political
Human activity has major effects on geography. When studying the earth you can come to several conclusions about the geography of any particular civilization. Distribution of life in the civilization allows you to analyze whether their geography is their own destiny. Do people control their own destiny? Is geography something that people can control? Technology is really the key to why geography can be overcome by any people.
Providing extremely fertile soil is one, if not the most important, roles the Nile River played in the life of the ancient Egyptians. By providing fertile soil, the Nile made it easy for cities and civilizations to grow alongside the banks of the river. This fertile soil comes from the annual flooding of the Nile. This replenishes the top soil with silt deposits that hold much needed nutrients for crops to grow. Ancient Egyptians developed highly complex irrigation methods to maximize the effect of the Nile waters. When the Nile overflows in mid summer, Egyptians divert the waters through the use of canals and dams. As the water seeped into the farm land, rich deposits of silt ensured a good harvest for the year. This allows the civilizations of Egyptians to grow enough food to feed the community. Without the annual flooding of the Nile, Egyptians would have a very difficult time growing necessary amount food to sustain life. Most of the land in the Egyptian nation is dry desert. Very little rain falls year round here. The river provides the needed water to grow the crops as well as provide drinking water for the people. Th...