Contact with European powers significantly impacted West Africa. European colonization introduced Christianity and Islam to many regions and disrupted traditional African religions like animism. It also led to the slave trade, taking many Africans from coastal areas to the Americas. While some nations like Nigeria gained independence in the 1960s, civil wars and conflicts have torn several countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone apart since decolonization. West African nations vary significantly from their climates to economies, with Nigeria now a top oil producer, coastal nations focusing on agriculture, and the Sahel experiencing drought issues.

1. D: 3/6/13
A: West Africa Notes
S: How did contact with European affect
West Africa?
H: Ancient Africa Constructed Response Due
Friday
w.o.d: animism
Warm-Up: Answer questions under
Interpreting the Chart and Interpreting the
graph on pgs. 500 & 501. . Write the questions
and answers.

2. Word of the Day
Word Definition Sentence Picture
A religious
belief that In animism
animism bodies of you also
water, honor your
tress, ancestors.
animals and
other
natural
object have
spirits

3. West Africa

4. Nigeria
A. Has both tropical savanna & steppe climate
B. Rainforests found in Tropical regions with
mangroves
C. Harmattan or dusty winds blow in winter
months
D. Is a leader in world oil production. 90% of
the country’s money comes from oil and is
used to build roads, schools, and factories

5. Nigeria
E. Most Nigeria’s are farmers and grow rubber,
peanuts, palm oil and cacao
F. Is the most diverse country in Africa.
G. There are over 300 ethnic groups and most live
in compounds
H. Nigeria was settled by the Nok people. In the
north they became Muslim When Europe
colonized many became Christian. In 1960 they
became independent and since civil war has
tore the country apart

6. The Sahel Countries
A. This area receives very little rainfall so has little
vegetation
B. Herders have allowed animals to overgraze
C. Often the region suffers from drought and
desertification
D. There have been 3 major empires that ruled
here. Ghana, Mail & Songhai. That controlled
gold and salt trade.
E. The French took control in 1800s until 1960

7. The Sahel Countries
F. The People of the Sahel live in the South,
farmers, practice Islam, speak Arabic and
African languages and live in small towns or are
nomads
G. Mauritania is known for fishing & iron
H. Mali & Burkina Faso are among the poorest in
the world
I. Niger has uranium used to make nuclear
weapons
J. Chad lacks the money to develop the resources
they have.

8. Coastal Countries
A. These countries have lots of rainfall and thus
people farm yams, corn, rice, cassava,
coffee, rubber, cacao& kola nuts.
B. When European colonized this region they
forced many Africans into slavery to the
Americas.
C. Today the people cherish their family ties,
practice Islam or Christianity, speak African
for everyday use and European languages for
business
D. Gambia, Senegal & Guinea are known for
diamonds, bauxite and phosphate.

9. Coastal Countries
E. Guinea-Bissau & Cape Verde were once
Portuguese colonies. In Guinea-Bissau people
farm rice and fish. They are also known for
growing cashews
F. Liberia & Sierra Leone were both founded by
African who were freed from slavery. Civil War
has destroyed these countries especially from
the diamond mines
G. Cote d’Ivoire used to be the center for the Ivory
trade and was French. Today they are a top
producer of cacao, coffee and palm oil
H. Ghana is known for cacao, gold and timber.

10. Coastal Countries
E. Guinea-Bissau & Cape Verde were once
Portuguese colonies. In Guinea-Bissau people
farm rice and fish. They are also known for
growing cashews
F. Liberia & Sierra Leone were both founded by
African who were freed from slavery. Civil War
has destroyed these countries especially from
the diamond mines
G. Cote d’Ivoire used to be the center for the Ivory
trade and was French. Today they are a top
producer of cacao, coffee and palm oil
H. Ghana is known for cacao, gold and timber.