Key Early States of Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania

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What was Great Zimbabwe known for?

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Great Zimbabwe was a city in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, known as the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age. It was a center for trading, particularly in gold and ivory, and part of a trade network extending as far as China.

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What led to the decline of Great Zimbabwe?

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The decline of Great Zimbabwe around 1450 was due to a decline in trade compared to sites further north, exhaustion of gold mines, political instability, famine, and water shortages induced by climatic change.

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Who ruled Ethiopia from 1270 AD until 1974?

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The Solomonic dynasty governed the Ethiopian Empire from 1270 AD until 1974.

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How did Ethiopia benefit from diplomatic contact with European kingdoms in the early 15th century?

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Ethiopia benefited from diplomatic contact with European kingdoms as Portugal assisted the Ethiopian emperor by sending weapons and four hundred men to help defeat the neighboring Adal Sultanate and maintain a Christian kingdom.

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What were the Hausa kingdoms?

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The Hausa kingdoms were a collection of states started by the Hausa people, situated between the Niger River and Lake Chad, benefiting from trade routes connected to Ghana, Mali, and the Songhai Dynasty.

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What was the significance of Kano in the Hausa kingdoms?

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By the 14th century, Kano had become the most powerful city-state in the Hausa kingdoms, serving as the base for the trans-Saharan trade in salt, cloth, leather, and grain.

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What influence did Ancient India have on Southeast Asia?

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Ancient India exerted a profound influence over Southeast Asia through trade, religious missions, wars, and other forms of contact, leading to the formation of 'Indianised Kingdoms' such as Srivijaya, Kadaram, and the Majapahit.

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What was Srivijaya known for?

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Srivijaya was a Buddhist Indonesian empire based on the island of Sumatra, known for being an important center for the expansion of Buddhism and for its complex maritime technology and goods-based economy.

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What was the Majapahit empire?

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The Majapahit was a Hindu-Buddhist state in Indonesia, based on the island of Java, known for its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk and being one of the greatest and most powerful empires in the history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

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What role did Novgorod play in trade?

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Novgorod was located between the Baltic Sea and the Byzantine Empire/Central Asia, benefiting from trade along the Silk Roads and between the Byzantine Empire and Vikings, growing into a powerful Slavic republic.