AAH Unit 1 Study Guide
What contributed to the growth of the antislavery movement in the early 1800s?
A religious revival known as the 2nd Great Awakening and the subsequent focus on social reform.
Why did Europeans look to African slaves as a source of labor in the New World?
African slaves were less likely to successfully escape, were immune to European diseases and familiar with farming methods and proven to be reliable laborers.
Why did slavery expand into new states and territories?
As farmers moved in search of new lands on which to grow cotton, the took slaves with them.
How did the relationship between Egypt and Kush change over time?
At first, the two kingdoms traded with each other. Then Egypt conquered and ruled Kush. Centuries later, Kush conquered Egypt.
How did both the Patriots and the British to try to win the support of slaves?
Both sides promised freedom to slaves in exchange for their support.
What were the major achievements of the ancient Egyptians?
Building of pyramids and temples, invention of columns, hieroglyphics, calendar, record keeping, math
What were the main achievements of the rulers of Mali?
Built a huge empire, grew wealthy from trade, supported education, spread Islam
How did Ghana's rulers grow rich and powerful?
By controlling the trade in several valuabale goods and using their money to build an army.
What were conditions like on the Middle Passage?
Captives faced crowded, unsanitary conditions, with little food, exercise, or fresh air.
What were some of the aspects of African culture kept alive in the US?
Crafts, dance, music, food, language
How did slavery in British North America differ from other regions?
Far fewer slaves were imported; temporary labor was originally more common than slavery.
What rights did free blacks in the North have that those in the South did not?
In some places in the North, free blacks could vote, could work in more careers, and had more freedom of movement.
Whom did the Emancipation Proclamation free, and how did African Americans react to it?
It freed all slaves in the seceded states. Many joyful southern African Americans fled from slavery, northern African Americans spread the word.
What series of events in the mid to late 1800s led to increased conflict between the North and the South?
KS-NB Act- Dred Scott decision, and John Brown's raid
How were African kingdoms affected by the Atlantic slave trade?
Kingdoms were hurt by loss of their people, warfare to capture slaves, and economic dependence on European goods.
How did feelings about slavery change after the American Revolution?
Many Americans began to oppose slavery and worked to end it.
How did militant abolitionists differ from other black abolitionists?
Militant abolitionists favored the use of force, whereas other black abolitionists did not.
What methods did white abolitionists use to spread their message?
Published newspapers, distributed pamphlets, gave public speeches, published accounts of slavery by former slaves, created a political party.
Why might many ancient societies have practiced slavery?
Slavery was practiced to have a cheap source of manual labor and to humiliate enemies conquered in war.
How did slave trades try to get around the ban on the importation of slaves?
Slaves were smuggled into the country and took part in the active domestic slave trade.
Why did slavery take such a firm hold in the southern colonies?
The South's economy was based on plantation agriculture, and slaves provided the labor necessary for a plantation to be successful.
Why were there fewer slaves in the middle colonies than in the South?
The middle colonies had no plantations thus less need for labor. Indentured servants did much of the work.
How did the cultures of Southern Africa differ from those of East Africa?
The people of Southern Africa spoke different languages and practiced different religions. They were also influenced by outside groups.
Why was trade so central to East African cultures?
The region lay on the coast and trade with distant lands was relatively easy.
Why can Africa be called the birthplace of human history?
The world's first hominids lived in Africa, and some of the world's first civilizations developed there as well.
Why do modern historians study traditional ways of life in West Africa?
There were no written records of life in Ancient West Africa, traditional customs provide some of the few clues to life in the past.
What advantages did Phyllis Wheatley, Benjamin Banneker, and James Durham have over most blacks?
They all received some education and were able to succeed as a result.
Why do you think some African Americans supported colonization?
They believed they would have more opportunities in Africa.
What made life difficult for free blacks in the early US?
They could not vote and many people considered them inferior.
Why were many African Americans dissatisfied with the Constitution?
They did not feel it adequately addressed their rights and needs.
Early in the war, how were Confederate slaves able to contribute to the war effort in the North?
They escaped to Union army camps where they contributed to by serving in noncombat roles.
Why did many Southerners oppose Lincoln's election to the presidency in 1860?
They feared that because Lincoln was a Republican, he might try to outlaw slavery in the South.
Why did the colonists come to resent the British government?
They felt their rights were being ignored and they were being taxed unfairly.
What did African Americans do to try to protect themselves from the Fugitive Slave Act?
They helped captured African Americans escape, and they formed self-protection groups to warn one another of danger.
Why do you think many African Americans were eager to move west?
They hoped to escape prejudice and discrimination by moving to new territories.
What steps did the colonists take in declaring their independence?
They met at the First Continental Congress, fought the British in Lexington and Concord before issuing the Declaration of Independence, and then met at the Second Continental Congress.
In what ways did African Americans contribute to the war effort for both the North and South?
They served as soldiers, manual laborers, spies, nurses, and support personnel.
What criticisms did New Englanders level against the institution of slavery?
They thought slavery was immoral and unchristian.
How did Africans help explore and settle the Americas?
They took part in early expeditions and battles, helped explore unknown territories, settled permanent communities, and spread African culture.
Why do you think many whites wanted to limit education for black students?
They were afraid that education would inspire black students to want more rights and freedoms.
Why were European explorers initially interested in Africa?
They were interested to search for a sea route around Africa to Asia and to gain gold to finance future operations.
Why did African Americans form their own churches?
They were not allowed to worship in most white churches.
Why were the operations of the Underground Railroad kept a secret?
To keep authorities from discovering the escaping slaves and sending them back to the South.
a trade system in which goods and slaves were exchanged between Europe, Africa, and the Americas
Triangular trade
What led to the decline of Songhai?
Uprising within the empire followed by a shift in trade routes and the arrival of Europeans.
Why were the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850 necessary?
allowed new states to join the Union while maintaining either the balance of power in the US Senate or peace between the North and the South.
What were some key elements of slave culture?
religion, music, dance, families
Why might some blacks have supported violent uprisings?
to seek revenge on slave owners