Transcript African Trading Civilizations: Ghana, Mali, Songhai

African Trading Civilizations:
Ghana, Mali, Songhai
Global Studies 10
Topic Review
African Kingdoms

All major African kingdoms controlled
important trade routes and were very
advanced long….. before European
contact.
Ghana, Mali, & Songhai
All existed at different times.
 All three civilizations prospered due to
the Gold and salt trade.
 All developed in West Africa
 All had artwork which included gold,
bronze, and clay sculptures.

Empire of Ghana
c800-c1100

Eventually converted
to Islam. (Cultural
Diffusion)

Conquered by
Almoravids in the
11th century
How does culture diffusion
happen?
1)
People move from
place to place
2)
Trade
3)
Warfare

Cultural diffusion is
the spreading of
ideas to new
regions.

Examples: Christmas
traditions, foods,
religions
Empire of Mali
c1200-c1450
Islamic Kingdom
 Rose in power after Ghana’s demise
 Greatest leader was Mansa Musa
 He expanded the empire to nearly twice the
size of Ghana.
 Timbuktu became a
very prominent
“LEARNING CENTER”

Mansa Musa

Emperor of the
kingdom of Mali in
Africa.

He made a famous
pilgrimage to Mecca
and established trade
routes to the Middle
East. (demonstrates
what taking place?)
Empire of Songhai
c1450-c1600
Islamic Kingdom
 Songhai came into power as the Empire of
Mali weakened
 Timbuktu continued to be
a great cultural and
learning center.
 They were conquered by
the Moroccans with the
use of gunpowder
and cannons.

Empire of Kush
c750BC – 200AD
Northeast Africa
 Conquered Egypt and ruled large
empire for 80 years
 Learned to make iron weapons and
tools (cultural diffusion)
 Used iron ore deposits to support large
iron industry
 Located along major trade routes.

Empire of Axum
c200AD-c700AD
Grew in power as the Empire of Kush
declined
 Blended Arab and African cultures
 Present day Ethiopia
 Became a Christian Kingdom in 324 AD
 Located along major trade routes.

In order for towns and cities to
develop there must be a surplus of
food? Why?

This allows people to specialize in
production of different items.

They would then trade these goods for
the food they need.
In Africa, there is a great diversity of
geography. How did this influence
cultural diffusion?
Deserts
 Mountains
 Rivers
 Rain Forests

•his made it hard to
T
travel
L•
ed to less cultural
diffusion
•his led to great
T
cultural diversity
Regent Questions
In Africa, an effect of topography
and climate has been to…...
1. Promote the growth of diverse
societies
2. Promote large scale trade between
Africa and Asia
3. Encourage rapid industrialization of
the interior
4. Prevent the development of kingdoms
The existence of the civilizations of
Ghana, Axum, Kush, & Mali demonstrates
that...
1. African civilizations were extremely
isolated from each other.
2. Industrial technology was needed for
early African civilizations to develop
3. Advanced societies developed in Africa
before any European colonization.
4. The African continent was unified
under a single political system.
One similarity between Axum, Kush, &
Nubia was that they were...
1. Military leaders in the Neolithic age.
2. Early civilizations in Africa
3. Writers of epic poems about Greek
cities.
4. Rivers along which early trade
developed.
One similarity between the ancient
African kingdoms of Egypt, Ghana, Mali,
and Songhai is that all of these kingdom
were located...
1.
2.
3.
4.
In mountainous terrain
In coastal areas
In rain forest areas
On major trading routes
Before West African civilizations had
contact with Europeans, these
civilizations developed
1. One system of government for the
entire region
2. Social systems that emphasized the
nuclear family
3. Economies that did not rely on trade
4. Art that included bronze,gold, and clay
sculptures
Which factor contributed most to the
development of ancient African
kingdoms of Ghana and Mali?
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Coptic religion
Democratic government
European Imperialism
Extensive trade
Which activity is the best example of
cultural diffusion in Africa?
1. Discovering bronze sculptures form
Benin
2. Weaving kente cloth in Ghana
3. Practicing of Islam in Nigeria
4. Using masks in traditional African
ceremonies.
Regents Exam Prep Center
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African Trading Civilization Questions