Discuss ways that the geography and climate of sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas shaped the spread and diffusion of cultural practices between 700 and 1000 CE

Question

Use examples from both regions to discuss aspects that were isolating and different ways this isolation was overcome.

Answer 1

Answers will vary but correct responses should include: In sub-Saharan Africa, isolation from the desert in north and lee winds offshore impede communication; widely separated river basins; lack of navigable rivers near coasts; dense forests, malarial jungles shaped the spread and diffusion of cultural practices. They overcame this by the exploitation of agricultural, mining resources near Sahel grassland and trans-Sahara trade routes focusing on copper, salt, and gold. In the Americas, they were bounded by vast oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific; and most rivers flow east–west, preventing north–south contacts and mountainous terrain. They overcame this by taking advantage of South/Mesoamerican highlands' proximity to rain forests, seas, swamps for resource exploitation; intensive development of fishing/hunting techniques in North America and the introduction of new crops and technologies aided by trade networks from Mesoamerica to Mississippi River Basin.