- 4 votes
There are several social and economic factors that are believed to have contributed to the fall of Great Zimbabwe. These include:
1. Overpopulation: The population of Great Zimbabwe is believed to have grown beyond the carrying capacity of the land, leading to food shortages and famine.
2. Environmental degradation: The overuse of natural resources such as timber and water led to environmental degradation, which in turn affected agricultural productivity.
3. Political instability: There were frequent power struggles among the ruling elite, which weakened the central authority and made it difficult for the state to maintain control over its subjects.
4. Decline in trade: The decline in long-distance trade routes due to political instability and competition from other trading centers reduced Great Zimbabwe's access to valuable goods and resources.
5. External pressures: The arrival of new groups such as the Nguni people from South Africa put pressure on Great Zimbabwe's resources and weakened its military power.
Overall, a combination of social, economic, and political factors contributed to the decline and eventual abandonment of Great Zimbabwe as a major center of power in southern Africa.
