Kingdom of Kongo and Bantu Societies

Africa's vastness and diversity make it hard to generalize. Despite lacking a universal state or religion, Africa has a history of large states and empires. Stateless societies were organized through kinship, with power exercised by councils. The Bantu migration spread language and culture, leading to agricultural expansion and metallurgy. Complex societies developed, with the Kingdom of Kongo being a notable example of centralized governance.

What is one reason Africa has historically lacked political unity?

• Unified political system

• Homogeneous language

• Absence of a universal religion

• Presence of a universal state

How did the Bantu migration influence communication among African societies?

• It facilitated mutual understanding

• It created language barriers

• It introduced a universal language

• It led to the extinction of local languages

What technological advancement did Bantu-speaking peoples master that aided agricultural expansion?

• Wooden plows

• Stone tools

• Iron metallurgy

• Bronze metallurgy

What was a significant result of the Bantu population surge?

• Difficulty for foragers to thrive

• Decrease in population density

• Increased foraging opportunities

• Decline in agricultural practices

How did early Bantu societies govern themselves?

• By a bureaucratic apparatus

• Through a centralized monarchy

• With a hierarchy of officials

• Via family and kinship groups

What was a key factor in the political development of the Congo River basin?

• Decline in population pressures

• Formation of small states

• Isolation from trade networks

• Lack of military challenges

What was the Kingdom of Kongo known for in terms of trade?

• Focusing solely on agricultural trade

• Participating in extensive trade networks

• Trading only within its borders

• Avoiding trade with other regions

What was a characteristic of the Kingdom of Kongo's government structure?

• Anarchic with no central authority

• Decentralized and loosely organized

• Centralized with a strong king

• Democratic with elected officials

How did the Kingdom of Kongo maintain its currency system?

• Based on seashells

• Through barter trade

• Using gold coins

• Using paper money

What led to the decline of the Kingdom of Kongo?

• Economic collapse

• Portuguese slave traders

• Internal civil wars

• Natural disasters