Were there countries in Africa before colonization?

At its peak, prior to European colonialism, it is estimated that Africa had up to 10,000 different states and autonomous groups with distinct languages and customs. From the late 15th century, Europeans joined the slave trade.

Who were the first settlers in Africa?

The first Europeans to enter Southern Africa were the Portuguese, who from the 15th century edged their way around the African coast in the hope of outflanking Islam, finding a sea route to the riches of India, and discovering additional sources of food.

When did the first Europeans arrive in West Africa?

The arrival of European sea traders at the Guinea coastlands in the 15th century clearly marks a new epoch in their history and in the history of all of western Africa.

Which ancient African kingdom was located in South Africa?

The Mutapa Empire or Empire of Great Zimbabwe (1450–1629) was a medieval kingdom located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers of Southern Africa in the modern states of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Remnants of the historical capital are found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

What was Africa like before European arrival?

The peoples of Africa had rich and diverse histories and cultures centuries before Europeans arrived. Africans had kingdoms and city-states, each with its own language and culture. Art, learning and technology flourished, and Africans were especially skilled with medicine, mathematics, and astronomy.

How did the European presence in Africa expand?

Europeans became involved in the slave trade, seeking larger numbers of slaves for their plantations; African states expanded the slave trade to meet European needs and gain wealth. How did the European presence in Africa expand? The slave trade gave some states the resources to expand and conquer their neighbors.

What were the 3 African kingdoms?

A succession of three great kingdoms came to power as their people, gained control of valuable trade routes in West Africa. Ghana​ was the first of these empires, followed by the kingdoms of ​Mali​ and ​Songhai​.

What was life like in Africa before European colonization?

Africa Before European Arrival. People of the early African kingdoms were able to create successful trade routes with Europe and Asia, become very wealthy from conquering and gaining land, and were able to have a strong central government. All of this was done before the Europeans had reached Africa.

Did Africa have its own civilization before colonisation?

However, Africa had its own forms of commerce, science, art and other measures of civilisation long before the arrival of the colonisers When Europeans arrived in Africa, like everyone who comes from elsewhere into new terrain they had something to say about the way we lived.

What are some of the most important empires in Africa?

Most notable among them is the Mali Empire, which may have produced the richest man in history and covered an area about the size of western Europe. Others include the Ethiopian Empire, which, after crushing the Italian invaders in the Battle of Adwa, was the only African state to defeat a European colonial power.

Did colonisation of Africa really ‘pimped’ Africa?

The notion that colonisation ‘pimped’ Africa is still in use today. In fact the contrary is true. It reshaped the whole structure of our way of life economically, socially, philosophically and politically and its legacy are the problems of today.