Strayer 7, What About Africa and the Americas?

18/9/2014

61 Comments

Build mental anchors to help you connect questions to what Strayer said about the topic.

61 Comments

Bingham

19/9/2014 01:23:26

What do you think Strayer's gist is in the opening vignette?

Ana Larrazolo

21/9/2014 16:55:07

It reminded me of Chapter 5's opening about how the classical era's legacies can persist even through repression

Bethany V.

20/9/2014 09:49:30

Eurasia wasn't the only continent that spawned classical civilizations with long lasting legacies? I don't know, that seems too obvious to me.

Bethany

20/9/2014 10:12:23

Also: The development of human cultures everywhere shared some similarities, but differences developed, in part due to the different environments in which these cultures arose.

Bingham

20/9/2014 12:34:00

Those are both true. I think Strayer's point here is the same one I made at the beginning of this period, that the legacies of the Classical societies endure.

On another note, I think it's interesting that the person with the highest score in WHAP is the one person that consistently posts on the forum. I'm sure that is just a coincidence, I couldn't possibly be right about studying and stuff. I'm sure last minute cramming is what works. It's just that I've never seen it work.

Oh well, I'll just keep beating people up until they see the truth. I just hope it's sooner rather than later, for their sake!

James Odermatt

20/9/2014 15:01:09

Hey guys!
It is a bit late, but I am very confused over what Strayer is asking in the margin question: "What supports scholar's contention that Moche represented a regional civilization in the Andes?" I feel like I should understand what he means but it isn't coming to me. Is he possibly referring to how Moche's individual success was dependent on a fragile natural environment? It is probably very simple...
Thanks again!

Bingham

21/9/2014 02:13:35

This is interesting. That question isn't in my copy of Strayer. It must be unique to the yellow, non-document version. I've used this book for four years in this class and I don't recall this difference coming up.

So anyway, you need help with the question. The key is in the way Strayer is using the word "regional". He's using in contrast to the more widespread Andean influence of Chavin, and then later, the Inca - who built a true empire of a similar scale to the ones we see in
in Afro-Eurasia. Once you have that, you are thinking about more limited geographic scope. Look at the small map showing the Andes coastal area and you'll note that the civilizations are more limited.

Okay, so "scholars". The only use of that word is in the end of the section when Strayer is discussing Moche demise. Nonetheless, if you think about it, all of this preliterate stuff is going to come from "scholars", particularly Anthropologists.

With the above in mind, here's how I would answer that.

Considerable archaeological evidence is available to provide insight into the Moche civilization. Among this evidence are pyramidal temples, sacrificed human remains, and burial sites of social elites. In addition, high quality pottery, jewelry, and and sewing supplies is available to understand the civilization.

However, the Moche were are regional civilization because all of the evidence is limited to a 250 mile stretch of the Peruvian northern coast. Also, in the 6th century C.E., some sort of ecological disruption occurred, but because of Moche's limited scope, they were unable to cope with the environmental consequences.

Bingham

21/9/2014 02:17:05

Just a reminder, I'm only available for this kind of help on the weekend.

James, would you mind sharing the bulleted list we generated on Meroe? Each of you should have some sort of condensed list or web like this for each of the societies discussed by Strayer.

Allie

21/9/2014 05:37:23

Okay so I really struggled with with margin question number 5 and number 3.

Here is my stab at the two, but I would really appreciate input.

Number #3:
The movement of the Bantu-speaking people help create a measure of cultural and linguistic commonality south of the Equator in Africa. As the Bantu migrated they interacted with various other groups of people and they changed as they encountered different peoples and they changed the people they encountered. They were eager to incorporate other's ideas to fix their regional problems.

Allie

21/9/2014 05:43:02

And here is number 5:

Teotihuacan was a massive city that encompassed large amounts of people. Parts of the city were reserved for foreigners and the city was active in long-distance trade with people from the Gulf coast to Maya lowlands. The interaction of many foreigners in the city lead to many people imitating the ideals of Teotihuacan. Also the sheer size and prestige of the city lead to others imitating the architectural and artistic styles of the city.

Bingham

21/9/2014 06:12:50

I'm assuming: In what ways did Teotihuacán shape the history of Mesoamerica?

That's good, but don't forget their military efforts, specifically this created a presence in the Maya, but also other civilizations in the area.

Bingham

21/9/2014 06:06:35

Hi Allie! It really helps if you can state the question in your post. There are some variations from book to book (as mentioned above).

I assume your question is: In what ways did the arrival of Bantu-speaking peoples stimulate cross-cultural interaction?

I think you are being too general. The "in what ways" part of this question implies specifics. So here's how I would answer that.

The Bantu-speaking peoples brought agriculture to regions of Africa south of the equator, enabling larger numbers of people to live in a smaller area than was possible before their arrival. With agriculture, they brought parasitic and infectious diseases, to which the gathering and hunting peoples had little immunity.
They also brought iron.

Many Bantu languages of southern Africa retain to this day distinctive “clicks” in their local dialects that they adopted from the now vanished gathering and hunting peoples that preceded them in the region.

Bantu-speaking peoples participated in networks of exchange with forest-dwelling Batwa peoples. The Batwa adopted Bantu languages, while maintaining a nonagricultural lifestyle and a separate identity. The Bantu farmers regarded their Batwa neighbors as first-comers to the region and therefore closest to the ancestral and territorial spirits that determined the fertility of the land and the people. As forest-dwelling Bantu peoples grew in numbers and created chiefdoms, those chiefs appropriated the Batwa title of “owners of the land” for themselves, claimed Batwa ancestry, and portrayed the Batwa as the original “civilizers” of the earth.

Bantu farmers in East Africa increasingly adopted grains as well as domesticated sheep and cattle from the already-established people of the region. They also acquired a variety of food crops from Southeast Asia, including coconuts, sugarcane, and especially bananas, which were brought to East Africa by Indonesian sailors and immigrants early in the first millennium C.E.

As the Bantu migrations proceeded, Bantu people brought with them not only their own traditions, but those of people encountered during the process.

Allie

21/9/2014 06:59:33

Thank you so much Mr. Bingham!

Allie

21/9/2014 07:21:35

I was trying to answer Big Picture question number 3( What generated change in the histories of Africa and the Americas during the classical era?) and I failed to fin something broad to encompass all of the Americas. For Africa, I thought the Bantu Migration and trade networks with Eurasia were the two big things that generated change in the history of Africa. Am I approaching this question incorrectly or am I not seeing something with the Americas?

Bingham

21/9/2014 08:40:52

Well, what's happening to you is the Goldilocks stuff we talked about in class. Is this too much or too little? What's "just right"?

In Africa, you forgot to consider the rise and fall of both Axum and Meroe. That's change, right? Also, the "emergence" of the Niger Valley urban centers. (Do you see that that para is thematically political? Even though we are really talking about a lack of political control along the Niger, we're still talking about the political theme.)

Trade also brought change in Africa. Mediterranean trade brought Christianity to Axum. Trade with the Arabian Peninsula brought a written script to Axum. These are big changes too, right?

With regard to the Bantu, it isn't enough to say, "Bantu migrations". That's vague. Try: the Bantu-speaking peoples adopted new crops, including coconuts, sugarcane, and especially bananas from Indonesia.

In the Americas, the emergence of the Maya and Teotihuacán pushed Mesoamerican civilization toward new levels of complexity that would influence later civilizations (Aztec & Inca).

The Chavín religious cult provided for the first time, and for several centuries, some economic and cultural integration to much of the Peruvian Andes.

The spread of maize into North America made it possible for the Pueblo society to take shape and allowed Cahokia to achieve a higher degree of sophistication than did the mound-building societies that preceded it.

Do you see that SPICE themes/units of analysis gets me there? I can use those categories to inform my thinking about what Strayer said and ask myself, "is this significant change'? New written language, new religion, increased complexity, new food crops, political comings and goings - these all count as things that "generated change", right?

I hope that helps Allie. This is the year you, and I hope a lot of other people, will learn to organize sophisticated ideas and readings. You work hard, so I know you will get there. The more you practice, the more natural and easy it becomes.

j link

14/12/2014 05:59:53

James O.

21/9/2014 12:36:32

Here is the condensed bulleted list for Meroe that Bingham was mentioning above!!!

-religiously distinct from Egypt
-central city of nubian civilization
-governed by an all powerful monarch
-it was a "cosmopolitan" city
- little state control(rural people not influenced by city)
-wealth and power generated by long distance trading
-The were connected with the Mediterranean (specifically the Romans)
-generally distinct from Egypt even though the Merotic script used was similar to Egyptian Hieroglyphics (altered a little)
-decline due to deforestation by 100 BCE
-Conquest by Axum in 340 CE
-Christian city for about 1000 years... Islam took over from then after
-Was a continuation of an old African tradition whereas Axum was newly created

Bingham

21/9/2014 23:30:53

Thanks James. Do you guys see how this has condensed the text down to manageable, bite sized chunks? Things you can review repeatedly, make into flash cards, whatever.

Also notice that it will be easy to mix up Axum and Meroe. A tee chart is a really good idea.

Bethany

21/9/2014 12:47:59

My attempt at margin question number one: How did the history of Meroe and Axum reflect interactions with neighboring civilizations?

The history of Meroe has its roots in interactions between Nubia and Egypt. Nubians both traded and fought with Egypt, and although Egyptian cultural influence declined, Egyptian deities were still recognized in Meroe as well as Egyptian based writing, though it was in decline. The wealth and military power of Meroe derived in part from extensive long distance trading connections with neighboring civilizations to the north, east, and west. There is also evidence of an imperial Meroe, which raided Roman Egypt, testifying to interaction with the Mediterranean world. Coptic Christianity also penetrated Nubia, resulting in a Christian civilization which lasted for almost a thousand years.The end of Meroe's history came with the kingdom's conquest by the neighboring civilization of Axum.

In Axum a substantial state emerged, stimulated by it's participation in Red Sea and Indian Ocean commerce and the taxes on this trade. The language of Axum, Geez, was derived from South Arabia. Christianity was introduced to Axum via trade and connections with the Roman Empire, linking it to Egypt and creating an enduring Christian legacy. Axum was influenced by the rise of Islam, which altered trade routes and diminished revenue, which played a role in the collapse of the Axumite state.

Did I get off topic? Also, should I have included Axum's imperial campaign? I think that also classifies as interaction with neighboring states, but I'm not positive how significant that is.

Cristina Micci-Barreca

21/9/2014 14:36:13

one thing i think you could have added is how the meroitic writing eventually replaced the egyptian based writing system. I agree on the axum imperial venture as well. other than those things i think this is really good :)

James O.

21/9/2014 15:24:09

Bethany, I think you have the interactions of both really solid. I think (I may be wrong) that you left out the specific history that led to the interactions you listed. What in Meroe's history caused them to push separation from Egypt? What in Axum's history simulated the heavy Red Sea, Indian Ocean commerce and Roman connection that introduced a lasting Christianity? Here is what i put.

Egypt's rainfall based agriculture ensured that Meroe was less dependent on the irrigation of the Nile. Because of this, the people were less concentrated on the Nile. They also had an expansive and independent trade network that only relied on the Nile for northern trade (eastern, western and southern trade was very independent). It was the combination of the rain based agriculture and independent trade network that made Meroe so distinct and separate from Egypt. It was this relationship that characterized the back/forth conquering and occasional conflict between the two. More specifically, it prompted the Merotic people to discredit Egyptian deities (replaced by local lion god) and alter Egyptian style writing to have their own separate Merotic script. The history affects the interaction.

With Axum, it was a new/developing establishment. This meant that it was very susceptible to interaction and outside (cultural etc.) influence. Their plow based agriculture produced desirable agricultural products (wheat, barley, millet, teff), not to mention the other desirable products (slaves, ivory, obsidian, horns,hides) from the interior that attracted merchants. These commodities(history) stimulated interaction with Rome and heavy trade from the Red Sea/Indian ocean, which allowed benevolent cultural interaction to occur. For instance, the language used commonly in Axum for the court and commerce was Geez (South Arabian script) which probably came from interaction following Arabian trade. Also, political/ commercial interaction with the Romans introduced Christianity to Axum which diffused rapidly and began a new religious trend in Axum. Again, the history affected interaction.

Am I crazy... I sure do hope not. Tell me if I am off topic.

James O.

21/9/2014 15:32:27

Forgot to reiterate clearly that it was the COMBINATION of Axum's state of early development and its many valuable commodities that simulated their tolerant interaction with others (specifically Arabia and Rome) that encouraged cross cultural interaction.

Basically Meroe's interaction was negative/ exclusive while Axum's was benevolent and tolerant.

Cristina Micci-Barreca

21/9/2014 14:43:38

this isnt exactly strayer related but theoretically speaking if one was to make it into the extra credit debate, how long is the team preparation meeting going to last on Wednesday? The calendar says it starts at 12 which is basically the end of the half day. (im asking this because orchestra/all-school musical kids have rehearsal at 1 after school...)

Bingham

21/9/2014 23:32:51

It's just 30 minutes at lunch.

Elizabeth BB

22/9/2014 13:35:45

I made a bullet point list for Axum:
• Unlike Meroe and Nubia, was a newly emerging civilizataion
• Had highly productive agriculture, unlike most of Africa
• Had direct trading contact w/ Mediterranean, which let to the emergence of a state and later the introduction of Christianity in 4th century CE
• Had loose administrative system with focus on taxation systems
• Central city was an art patronage, with obelisks serving as gravestones for rulers
• Language of Geez spoken among commonfolk and courts
• Christianity became the dominant religion in Ethipoia
• After 2 centuries of a campaign of imperial expansion, Axumite state declined b/c of environmental damage and rise of Islam, interfering w/ trade routes

Any suggestions?

Olivia LP

23/9/2014 11:54:52

I'm really struggling with the margin question: with what Eurasian civilizations might the Maya be compared?

My similarities between the Eurasian and Mayan comparison are seriously lacking.

They were similar to classical Greece due to their competing city states, as Strayer points out.

I also saw similarities between the Indian civilizations because of the fragmented government and the high respect (maybe no the right word) priests were seen with. Awkward phrasing, sorry.

Anyway, are their any other comparisons out there?

Sarah

24/9/2014 12:47:36

Also note the fragmented political structure of both civilizations.

Olivia LP

23/9/2014 11:56:45

*there

James O.

23/9/2014 13:38:06

Olivia!
I think the main comparison, as you pointed out, is with Greece. I am pretty sure that is the only one you should focus on. Don't forget that like greece, Maya was heavily centered on intellectual pursuits and made major developments in mathematics, astronomy, and writing!!!

James O.

23/9/2014 13:49:18

Mr. Bingham. I am very worried/stressed about my ability to answer the margin questions etc. in the way the course requires. I came up with a complex and what I thought was a valid answer to "In what ways did the arrival of Bantu-speaking peoples stimulate cross-cultural interaction?" When I saw your answer, I realized that mine went down a path in the opposite direction from yours and didn't match in any significant way. I thought long about the two answers and realized (appropriately so) that your answer was the way I should have answered it... I am now starting to question and rethink my answers and even note taking. Is t just a different way of thinking or does it come with practice?

Bingham

23/9/2014 23:27:32

Well, both really. Most people go wrong with the language of the question. I don't see your answer, but is suspect it reflects a misunderstanding of cross-cultural interaction. Correct me if I'm wrong.

So it's vocabulary and practice. Obviously the data is there, so the difference between us is that I see the answer in Strayer while you see related but not nessisarily relevant data. A sea of words. You need practice with feedback. That's why a study group is vital, it's why I debrief the tests, it's whhy I'm yelling at you guys for not posting on the forum.

I just can't see why, by the end of the weekend, every MQ and BPQ isn't up on the forum - tweaked and reworked until there is consensus and an understanding on the part of everyone in the class. Why is this group resisting that? I'm at a complete loss. It is precisely what all of you need, but you aren't listening, apparently thinking it will resolve itself in some other way, that scores will improve through divine intervention? That maybe I'll

James O.

24/9/2014 00:26:08

In regards to my misunderstanding of cross cultural interaction, I think you are right. One of the main parts of my answer was that the Bantu speaking peoples were very tolerant (their movement south was not characterized by conquest and their religion was not missionary. They also condoned and participated in cross cultural (selective) borrowing. I made a point of saying that it was characteristics such as these that facilitated cross cultural interaction whereas you answered it by listing the specific things they brought to the region. Is my answer valid?

Augi

24/9/2014 07:49:42

I was reading the chapter again and I noticed that since it says Nubia interacted with Egypt and its main industry was making iron tools and weapons. This was an influence from Egypt cause when Egyptians sense of security was shattered by getting conquered they adopted new kinds of weapons and armor. Is that a valid connection?

James O.

24/9/2014 12:45:00

For the BPQ 2 "What evidence could support or challenge the particular cultures and societies of Africa and of the Americas discussed in this chapter developed largely in isolation from one another?" Is the question addressing how the societies of America were isolated from those in Africa and vice versa... or is it asking how some societies in the Americas were separated from one another and how some in Africa were separated from one another?

Sarah

24/9/2014 12:51:38

The second. How societies IN the Americas and Africa developed in isolation, then have evidence for/against to make an argument.

Bingham

24/9/2014 13:09:08

@Augie. We'll remember, we have the historical lense zoomed way out in a world history context, and Strayer is trying to give you only what you need. But Meroe represents only one piece of a wider Kush civilization, one of many on the upper and middle Nile heavily influenced by Egypt. That influence included iron working. Meroe was widely regarded for their iron work including extensive participation in the Indian Ocean trade network. While that iron technology has it's origin in Egypt, Meroe developed it extensively. I think the conquest of Egypt by Rome had an effect on Meroe, but the seeds had been planted. Meroe was well established on several important fronts.

Rome did on occasion mess with Meroe, but there was no serious attempt at conquest. Meroe built on Egyptian influence, defined a separate identify, and eventually faded.

As for a valid connection, it depends on the context in which you intend to think about Meroe. You have enough for this class though.

Bingham

24/9/2014 13:11:37

And again, these are conversations that have to happen before Monday each week. Why don't you guys believe me?

Savanna Lim

25/9/2014 13:05:49

My attempt at Big picture question number 1! Feel free to help/correct me

"The histories of Africa and the Americas during the classical era largely resemble those of Eurasia." Do you agree? Explain why/why not.

-Greece, China, Caste India,

The histories of Africa and the Americas resemble the history of Eurasia during the classical era. For example, both the Romans and the Kingdom of Meroe were governed by monarchs and were influenced largely by Christianity. Similar to the Hindu-based caste system in India, the cities along the Niger developed their own "caste" system, through occupation and encouraged marriage within their own caste as well. The Chinese during the Han dynasty spread their cultural and social practices throughout their nation, just as the Bantu did when they spread across Africa. The Mayans in Mesoamerica also highly resembled the Roman Empire in terms of the academic emphasis on astronomy and intellectual thinking and the fact that they too were ruled by city-states.

Bethany V.

25/9/2014 13:57:49

Hi Savanna, I think you did a good job but I think maybe comparing Axum to Rome in terms of Christianity is a stronger argument than Meroe to Rome. Christianity only penetrated Nubian society after the fall of Meroe, and was only dominant until 1350 CE, when Islam penetrated the civilization. In Axum, though Islam was introduced to the region, it did not become dominant. In this region, the Horn of Africa, Christianity still endures today as the dominant religion. Also, I'm not quite sure how you're justifying your comparison of the spread of Han Chinese cultural and social practices to the migration of the Bantu. The Chinese did actively assimilate people culturally and socially, but it wasn't a migration. They just expanded on an already large cultural heartland, they didn't leave behind an old place for a new place like the
Bantu. Also, the Bantu people were not actively trying to spread their cultural and social practices, it was just part of interaction with the natives. Influence between the Bantu and the natives was a two way street. There was selective borrowing and the natives often retained a separate identity from the Bantus, while in China, those the Chinese assimilated became completely Chinese.

Sorry that was really long, and I'm sure you already know most of what I just posted, but I hope that helps in some way. I know replying to posts sure helps me! Someone correct me if any of what I just stated is wrong lol.

Ananda

25/9/2014 14:18:15

I think comparing Maya to Greece is a stronger comparison. I think you mixed up Rome and greece it's the same rationalization just a different empire hope that helped :]

cristina micci

25/9/2014 14:40:17

some additional points:
-like the powerful and expansive empires of eurasia such as rome, imperial civilizations arose that sought to expand their sphere of influence over nearby areas (ie axum's conquest of meroe and teotihuacan's presence in the mayan world)
-the chavin religious cult somewhat resembles an emergence and spread of a major and integrating religion like those of eurasia

Savanna Lim

25/9/2014 13:42:28

For Margin Question #2, I didn't get a lot, but here's my answer.

How does the experience of the Niger Valley challenge conventional notions of “civilizations”?

State structure was absent in the Niger Valley civs. They were not part of a larger imperial system either. There were few signs of inequality, war, or draconian power, unlike systems of social hierarchy present in conventional civilizations.

Bethany

25/9/2014 14:00:21

Just a really small thing to add, I might mention that they had large urban centers and complex societies that weren't under a state structure. I just think it's more significant if you specify that these were sophisticated people operating without an overarching power.

Bethany

25/9/2014 14:35:33

Also: The distinct economic castes shared authority and voluntarily used the services of others, standing in sharp contrast to conventional notions of a coercive state which forcefully extracts resources from commoners.

James O.

25/9/2014 14:01:10

Good answer! I found it helpful to state after how the Niger river valley civilizations were organized differently in contrast to how they were stateless and devoid of an imperial system! So basically: "The Niger River Valley Civilizations were stateless, contrasting with conventional/major Eurasian civilizations blah blah blah. Instead, it was organized into occupational castes/economically specialized settlements etc." It never hurts to make more comparisons! :)

Bethany

25/9/2014 14:26:18

So on page 201 in the intro to the North American section, Strayer says that North American civilizations didn't generate large urban centers. Do Pueblo Bonito and Cahokia not count as large urban centers?

Ananda

25/9/2014 14:48:02

To my understanding they didn't really interact with one another. They also had small populations and werent as productive. If you think about it, the native americans were never one big thing/empire. They were tribes that were separate from one another and didn't interact. The Niger River Vallies didn't have a huge government power looming over them but still had large urban centers probably because of their productive agriculture, metallurgy(not sure about that but def iron was in the mix), and domesticated animals which the N.American civs did not have

Ananda

25/9/2014 14:52:56

By interact I mean trade or diplomatic interaction(?) I am sure they had warfare and such. Actually, don't take that advice I am not sure if that's right. I am just basing this off of what's in the section so sorry ;-; But my rationalization is that strayer didn't talk about interaction between the pueblos and cahokia and when strayer talks about urban centers there is usually many different goods from other places and interaction from other civs. I don't know if this is right though so take it with a grain of salt.

Bethany

25/9/2014 14:52:57

Is an urban complex not just a city? Cahokia sounds fairly large to me. It had state government, was involved in lots of trade, built enormous structures, and had a large military. It had a population of more than 10,000. I mean it was a lot larger than a tribe.

cristina micci

25/9/2014 14:50:01

i think what he means is that though there were urban centers in north america, they did not size up to the ones of eurasia and south america. strayer refers to them more as towns and villages. cahokia had somewhat more of an urban presence than chaco, though.

Bethany

25/9/2014 14:53:55

Okay, so they just weren't large in relation to Eurasian urban centers.

Bethany

25/9/2014 14:48:22

Puttin up my answer to margin question #8- In what ways were the histories of the Ancestral Pueblo and the Mound Builders similar to each other, and how did they differ?

Both settlements were part of trading networks and both participated in long distance trade. Both were made possible by the arrival of corn based agriculture. Both civilizations had distinct elite classes, though social distinctions were more distinct in the mound building culture. Both also had skilled innovators, especially in regard to astronomy.
While the ancestral pueblo acquired agriculture from Mesoamerica, agriculture developed independently in the moundbuilder civilization. However, the ancestral pueblo possessed maize for far longer than the mound builders, whose domestic crops only supplemented their diets, grounding them far more in maize based agriculture than the mound builders. The ancestral pueblo had much more direct contact with Mexico than the moundbuilders. The moundbuilders were more urban based and had larger populations that the ancestral pueblo. The moundbuilders' civilization had a long history of mound building cultures, while the ancestral pueblo were a newer society.

Ananda

25/9/2014 14:57:36

I think that the mound builders didnt have corn. On 203 Strayer says that they had an independent agri. rev. that was based off of things that I am not going to list because what I am trying to get across is that the Mound builders did not have corn. So i hope that helps :]

Bethany V.

25/9/2014 15:03:05

They did acquire corn, but through trade. It's what made their civilization possible. Their local domestic crops weren't enough to support a sedentary lifestyle, only supplement it. They retained a hunter gatherer way of life until they obtained corn. That's when their population really started to grow.

Ananda

25/9/2014 15:04:25

Ugh.... Cahokia had corn but mound builders didn't? I skimmed over 204 before but now that I am actually reading it (day before the test A+ student) it says that Cahokia got corn from distant sources I got confused(I am a mess please disregard my comments). I am sorry whoops.

Jacob

25/9/2014 15:01:50

They had maize after they began to develop as you said. It may be a stretch to say they were both made possible because of corn based agriculture because the Mound Builders functioned (maybe less efficiently) without corn. The addition of for just made their lives easier by allowing them to make the switch to just agriculture.

Bethany

25/9/2014 15:04:43

Well I don't know if it applies to the whole mound builder society, but Strayer says that Cahokia wouldn't have been possible without the arrival of corn based agriculture on page 204, 2nd paragraph.

cristina micci

25/9/2014 15:15:39

big pic numero dos:
“the particular cultures and societies of africa and of the americas discussed in this chapter developed largely in isolation from one another.” what evidence would support this statement, and what might challenge it?
in support of the statement: there was literally no contact between africa and the americas (this is the "duh" answer). in the americas, geographic barriers such as mountain ranges and physical distances limited contact between north, meso, and south america. In africa, the niger river remained isloated from its distant neighbors nubia and meroe due to physical separation of the sahara.
challenging evidence: extensive trading and cultural interaction took place among these civilizations. the north american civs managed to acquire maize from mesoamerica,the chavin cult spread across the andes and acted as cultural and economic integration, the bantu migration spread all the way down africa as it picked up bits of native culture and left some of its own on the people they interacted with. political interactions such as axum's conquest of meroe and teotihuacan's presence in the maya took place as well.
(honestly theres so much evidence of inter-civilization interaction it could take up pages)
yup

Bethany

25/9/2014 15:33:00

Sounds good to me.

Bethany V.

25/9/2014 15:37:35

I remembered something: Meroe and Axums' close proximity to and interaction with Eurasia challenges that statement. Axum got Christianity from Rome, and their language from S. Arabia, etc.

Bethany V.

25/9/2014 15:46:03

Here is BP3- What generated change in the histories of Africa and the Americas during the classical era? I just condensed Mr. Bingham's version into a really short bulleted form and added like one thing. Not providing examples, I'm not sure if we'll need to on the test if this question comes up. Which I have a feeling it will. If you're lookin for the long, specific answer check the above posts for Mr. Bingham's response.

-The rise and fall of civilizations
-Trade
- Migration (Bantu and Saharan peoples into Niger River Valley)
-Chavin Cult
-Environmental Change

Strayer 7, What About Africa and the Americas?

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