Interdisciplinary Approaches to African History: Great Zimbabwe Case Study
Question 1
Discuss how Linguistics, Anthropology, Archaeology, and Geography have enriched history writing on Africa using Great Zimbabwe as an example.
Question 2
Critically discuss how European thinkers and colonialists used pseudo-scientific racism to justify slavery during the 19thcentury with reference to the storyof Sarah Baartman.
Question 3
Explain how ideas of the Enlightenment in the 19thcentury led to the abolition of slavery with reference to the establishment of Sierra Leoneby the British government.
Question 4
Critically discuss Patrice Lumumba’s roleas a Pan-Africanistleader in the Congo’s liberation andthe ensuing conflict which led to his assassination in 1961.
Check History Assignment Answers: Expert Answers on Above Questions on History
Role of linguistics, anthropology, archaeology and geography
Linguistic has been quite helpful in identifying the origins of Shona speaking peoples and associating language evolution to migration. Anthropology in this context has been helpful in providing deep insights into social organization and trade networks of the great Zimbabwe community. Archaeology enriched history writing on Africa by unearthing stone structures, artifacts and trade goods. Finally geography in the case of great Zimbabwe indicates that it is within the strategic trade routes and fertile land which has been crucial in supporting the growth.
Pseudo scientific racism and slavery in the context of Sarah Baartman
African inferiority is claimed by Europeans using social darwinism and physiognomy. Sarah Baartman was objectified for her body and her exploitation was used as a scientific study depicting stereotypes of Africans as less humans.
Enlightening ideas and the abolition of slavery
The main focus of Enlightenment thinkers was on human rights, liberty and equality and fighting against the slavery. Abolitionist movements started in Britain and Sierra Leone was established as a colony for freed slaves and this shows how intellectual ideas influenced concrete political actions.
Patrice lumumba as an Africanist leader
Lumumba was responsible for suggesting unity and sovereignty for Congo and he sought control of the vast mineral wealth of Congo to benefit its people. He was assassinated in 1961 and he was therefore known as Africa’s fight against neo-colonialism.
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