Social Studies

What were the three ancient West African Kingdoms?

Ghana, Mali, Songhai.

What was Ghana known as?

The land of gold.

Who is the most famous king of Mali and the richest man in the world?

Mansa Musa.

What city became a center of trade and learning?

Timbuktu.

What two modern countries make the Ashanti region?

Ghana and Ivory Coast.

What is the legend of the Golden Stool?

The Golden Stool fell from the sky and represents the soul and unity of the Ashanti people. No one may sit on it.

What were the main trade items of Ancient West Africa?

Gold and Kola nuts.

What effect did the slave trade have on the Ashanti empire?

Traded for gold for guns, leading to a negative impact on the empire.

In what modern day countries did the Igbo people live?

Nigeria.

What type of government system did the Igbo people have?

No single king; Council of elders.

How was wealth measured by the Igbo people?

Yams.

In what modern day countries was the Congo Kingdom located?

Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Which European country were the Bakongo people involved with in the slave trade?

Portugal.

What were the main trade items in the Congo Kingdom?

Salt, copper, and cloth.

What role did griots play in West African societies?

They were storytellers, poets, and keepers of history.

What was the door of no return?

Final door in slave forts that enslaved people passed through before being forced onto ships; symbolized permanent separation from Africa.

What was the Triangular Trade?

Trade route between Europe, Africa, and the Americas involving exchange of goods and enslaved people.

What was chattel slavery? How did it differ from more ancient forms of slavery?

Chattel slavery treated enslaved people as property for life, differing from ancient slavery which was often temporary and not race-based.

How long was the middle passage? What were the conditions?

6 to 12 weeks; overcrowded, diseased, with little food or water. About 25% died.

What were the main cash crops of the southern colonies?

Tobacco, rice, and indigo.

What was half-freedom in New Amsterdam?

Enslaved people were partially free; could own land but still had to work for the Dutch West India Company.

How did enslaved people