Chapter 6
How did Africa’s proximity to Eurasia shape its history? And how did America separation from the Eastern Hemisphere affects its development?
The Africans have had access to more productive crops and domesticated animals from interaction with Eurasia. Trade with Eurasian peoples caused civilizations like Meroë and Axum to flourish. There were also some African societies that practiced Eurasian religions like Islam and Christianity. American separation from the Eastern Hemisphere meant that they had no access to Eurasia 's productive crops, so less civilization was formed in America. There were no agricultural communities because there were no domesticated animals. When North Africa became completely incorporated into the Mediterranean world, African proximity to Eurasia shaped its history and thus encouraged the trade in ideas & technology. Camel introduction created the possibility of a nomadic, pastoral lifestyle which eventually facilitated trans-Saharan commerce.
The separation of the Americas from Eurasia proved to be a major challenge as this restricted trade and left many of the crops in the area unable to expand. Farming was even harder, with the lack of large animals to domesticate, before the crops adapted to America.
Ways of the World, Robert W. Strayer, Chapter 6
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