Question

How did African proximity to Eurasia shape its history? And how did American separation from the Eastern Hemisphere affect it's development?

Answer 1

African proximity to Eurasia shaped its history through cultural and technological exchanges, while American separation resulted in distinct development paths. The relationship between Egypt and other African civilizations challenged Eurocentric views, and traditional African slavery differed from the transatlantic slave trade.

Step-by-step explanation:

African Proximity to Eurasia

The proximity of Africa to Eurasia greatly influenced its history through various interactions, trade, and the diffusion of ideas, technology, and religion. This closeness facilitated the Egyptian connections with other ancient civilizations, such as those in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, fostering cultural and technological exchanges. Moreover, it is important to note that the trans-Saharan trade routes allowed for the movement of goods, people, and ideas between Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, integrating the continent into a larger global network.

Impact of American Separation

The American separation from the Eastern Hemisphere led to a distinct path of development with limited Old World influences. This resulted in unique indigenous cultures that evolved independently until the arrival of Europeans. With the advent of European contact and colonization, the history of the Americas took a significantly different turn, with the introduction of new diseases, species, and a new blend of cultures.

Slavery in Traditional African Society

Slavery in traditional African societies differed from the transatlantic slave trade that later developed. In Africa, slavery often integrated individuals into the captor's society, and while still harsh, it did not usually feature the chattel slavery that characterized European practices in the Americas. The role of slavery varied in African states but it became increasingly brutal with the demand for slaves driven by European traders.

Answer 2

North Africa became completely integrated into the Mediterranean world. The East African coast was very important to the Indian Ocean network of exchange. The Northeast African kingdoms, Meroe and Axum, traded with Eurasia and this affected them culturally. One of the important culture changes was that they adopted Christianity and some later adopted Islam. The Americas did not have large domestic animals (besides llamas and alpacas) and the could not adopt technologies and crops from Eurasia, which made them try to come up with their own.