State-Building in the Americas and Africa (1200-1450)

The video explores state-building in the Americas and Africa from 1200-1450. It covers the Mississippian Culture in North America, known for its mound-building and class system, and the Chaco and Mesa Verde civilizations, which built cliff dwellings but went extinct due to climate change. The Aztec Empire in Central America is highlighted for its tribute system and impressive capital, Tenochtitlan. In Africa, the focus is on kin-based networks and the Hausa Kingdom, which thrived through trade and adopted Islam. The video concludes with a brief mention of the oral traditions in African societies.

What was the primary purpose of the monumental mounds built by the Mississippian Culture?

• As military fortifications

• For religious and ceremonial purposes

• To store food supplies

• To serve as burial sites

Which civilization had a class system similar to the Hindu caste system?

• Chaco

• Hausa Kingdom

• Aztecs

• Cahokia

What was a significant reason for the extinction of the Chaco and Mesa Verde civilizations?

• Lack of resources

• A drier climate

• Invasion by neighboring tribes

• Internal conflict

What was the capital city of the Aztec civilization?

• Cahokia

• Tenochtitlan

• Hausa

• Mesa Verde

How did the Aztecs maintain control over their conquered territories?

• Through direct military occupation

• By establishing local governments

• By relocating conquered people

• Using a tribute system

What was the primary organizational structure of sub-Saharan African societies?

• Centralized empires

• Kin-based networks

• Feudal systems

• City-states

Which African kingdom benefited from the trans-Saharan trade system?

• Mali Empire

• Songhai Empire

• Zulu Kingdom

• Hausa Kingdom

What role did griots play in African societies?

• They were political advisors

• They were storytellers and historians

• They were religious priests

• They were military leaders

What was a common characteristic of governments in sub-Saharan Africa?

• They were heavily influenced by European systems

• They were centralized and ruled over large empires

• They were organized by kinship ties

• They were based on democratic principles

What was the primary occupation of men in sub-Saharan African communities?

• Hunting

• Trading

• Blacksmithing

• Farming