4.1.2

Medieval West Africa

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Medieval West Africa

In the past, Africa was often written about through a colonialist lens.

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A colonialist lens

  • We based our understanding of Africa on the tales of outsiders.
  • For example, the Greeks and Romans wrote about the Ancient Egyptians.
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Further examples of the colonial lens

  • Scholars wrote about trade routes across the Sahara.
  • European missionaries wrote about the need to ‘civilise’ African people.
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Results of colonialism

  • Colonialist historians didn't look much at the richness of Africa's history.
  • For example, they didn't focus on West African kingdoms.
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African kingdoms

  • Africa has many histories, cultures and languages.
  • Advanced kingdoms existed before Europeans arrived.
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Learning more about African history

  • Recently, historians have started to unpack these histories.
    • They are learning more about African history.
    • They are focusing in particular on medieval West African empires.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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