West African Trading Empires

What are the three vegetation zones of West Africa?

The three vegetation zones of West Africa are the savanna, the desert, and the rainforest.

How did the king of Ghana become wealthy?

He taxed trade.

How did the Niger River affect the economy of West Africa?

It provided transportation, communication, trade, water, and fertile soil.

What trade goods did West Africa supply to North Africa?

West Africa provided gold, slaves, crops, millet, and cattle to North Africa.

What was the outcome of trade in West Africa?

Ghana became rich, kings rose to power, and cities became centers of trade, religion, and education.

What could happen to kings of Ghana if they rejected traditional religion?

They would lose claim to the throne.

Who were the Berbers?

The Berbers were nomadic traders from North Africa who were Muslim, spoke Arabic, and established Trans-Saharan trade.

How did Berber traders influence Ghana?

They brought a written language (Arabic) and also introduced Islam.

Who were Ghana's main converts to Islam?

Ghana's main converts to Islam were the rulers and the upper class.

How did Ghana's common people react to Islamic beliefs?

They converted, but kept their original beliefs.

How did Islam influence Ghana's rulers?

They converted, but kept their original beliefs. Muslims gained government power.

What role did the Arabic language play in Ghana?

Islam ethics influenced Ghana, Muslims gained government power, and it was used in prayer and trade.

Who were the Almoravids?

The Almoravids were a Muslim group who attacked Ghana because they wanted Ghana to follow their way of Islam.

Who developed Timbuktu as a center of trade?

Sundiata developed Timbuktu as a center of trade.

What were Sundiata's accomplishments?

Sundiata captured the former capital of Ghana, developed the city of Timbuktu, and expanded through trade and farming.

Why was Timbuktu important to the Mali Empire?

It was a center of trade and culture, on the Niger River, a center of Islamic scholarship, and it was where the desert and Savanna meet.

How did Mansa Musa help develop the empire of Mali?

He went on a pilgrimage to Mecca and increased trade by showing off his immense wealth.

Why do you think Mansa Musa brought such an elaborate caravan to Mecca?

He did it to attract attention, make Mali a site of encounter, and to increase trade by showing off wealth.

What did Mansa Musa bring back to Mali from his pilgrimage?

Mansa Musa brought an architect and Arab scholars back from his pilgrimage.

What West African city was known from its universities?

Timbuktu was known from its universities.

What factors contributed to the decline of Mali?

Internal fighting over who would be the next ruler, newly conquered regions rebelling, and Berber nomads raiding Mali led to the decline of Mali.

What was Songhai?

Songhai was an empire that gained independence from Mali in 1365.

What did the Muslim leaders of Timbuktu ask Sunni Ali to do?

They asked Sunni Ali to overthrow the Berbers.

Why was Askia Muhammad an important ruler?

He organized a bureaucratic government and provinces with appointed governors.

People from what region conquered Songhai?

Moroccan forces conquered Songhai.