Written Assignment 3 Answer two of the three questions that follow. 1. Compare and contrast early social systems of Egypt, Aksum, and the inland Niger Delta. Offer ideas on the possible transmission/transference of culture among these civilizations. 2. Long-distance trade routes and the development of centralized states in the Sahel are directly related. Describe this relationship and the resulting development of forced labor systems. 3. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the continent experienced the entrance of several external peoples, cultures, and influences. Describe this influx. Identify major groups; cultural ideas, norms, and intentions of these groups; and how the groups influenced indigenous activity.

Question 2: Long-distance trade routes and the development of centralized states in the Sahel are directly related. Describe this relationship and the resulting development of forced labor systems.

Relationship Between Long-Distance Trade Routes and Centralized States:

1. Trade Routes:

   • The Sahel region, a transitional zone between the Sahara Desert and the Sudanian Savanna, was strategically located for trans-Saharan trade. Key trade routes passed through the Sahel, connecting North Africa with sub-Saharan regions.
   • Goods such as gold, salt, and slaves were traded across these routes, with the Sahel acting as an intermediary zone.

2. Development of Centralized States:

   • The wealth generated from trade enabled the rise of powerful centralized states in the Sahel, such as the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires.
   • These states controlled and taxed trade, which increased their wealth and allowed them to maintain strong military forces and administrative systems.
   • The control of trade routes and resources like gold and salt mines became a primary source of power and influence for these states.

Development of Forced Labor Systems:

1. Demand for Labor:

   • The demand for labor to work in mines, on farms, and as porters for caravans increased as trade expanded.
   • To meet this demand, forced labor systems, including slavery, became more prevalent. Enslaved people were captured during wars or raids and sold in markets across the Sahel and beyond.

2. Economic Impact:

   • Enslaved labor was integral to the economic structure of Sahelian states. Slaves were used in various sectors, from agriculture to domestic service, and their labor contributed to the prosperity of these states.
   • The trans-Saharan slave trade also connected the Sahel with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern markets, further integrating the region into a broader economic network.

3. Social and Political Consequences:

   • The reliance on forced labor had significant social and political consequences. It reinforced social hierarchies and created a class of people with limited rights and freedoms.
   • The control over the slave trade and labor systems also contributed to the power and stability of ruling elites, who could use their wealth to maintain loyalty and suppress dissent.

By addressing these two questions, we can see how interconnected trade, politics, and social systems were in shaping early African civilizations and their development.