(Originais Teachy 2023) - Question Very Hard of History

During Antiquity and the Middle Ages, several African kingdoms stood out for their prosperous economies, cultural advancements, and important trade routes. Among them, Kush, Axum, and Ghana are significant examples. The Kingdom of Kush, located south of Egypt, flourished in Antiquity and was a major producer of gold and controller of the trade of elephants, ivory, and slaves. The Kingdom of Axum, in turn, succeeded Kush and established itself as a major power through the control of trade routes, especially the one linking the Mediterranean to India. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Ghana, in the Middle Ages, was a center for the trade of gold, salt, and slaves, acting as an intermediary in exchanges between North Africa and the southern Sahara. Considering the historical context of these kingdoms, analyze: 1) How did geography influence the rise and fall of these civilizations, taking into account natural factors and trade routes? 2) Discuss the role of trade and relations with other regions of the world in shaping the social and political structure of these kingdoms, highlighting how these aspects were reflected in their internal organization and power dynamics. In your response, use historical knowledge and consistent arguments to deepen the understanding of the importance of these kingdoms in the context of African history and global interactions of the time.