Think As Historian: THINK AS A HISTORIAN: EXPLAIN THE HISTORICAL CONCEPT Of CONTINUITY

One of the historical concepts historians use to understand the past is continuity. Looking through the lens of continuity, historians can identify and explain—or make logically understandable—developments and processes that show endurance or continuation over time and space. For example, the influence of Islam has had an enduring effect on politics, economics, and culture within African societies.

Explain how the following statements apply the concept of continuity to historical developments and processes.

1. For more than 700 years, trans-Saharan trade brought considerable wealth to the societies of West Africa, particularly the kingdoms of Ghana and Mali.

2. Mansa Musa deepened Mali’s connection to Islam after his 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca. Though many West Africans held onto their traditional beliefs, today 95 percent of people in Mali are Muslim.

3. Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Zimbabwe was the most powerful of all the East African kingdoms.

4. Sub-Saharan societies that had converted to Islam did not adopt all of its norms concerning gender.

5. Slavery was a long-standing tradition in Africa before Europeans arrived.