Between A.D. 300 and 1500, three large empires arose in West Africa, carrying on a brisk trade with the Romans and later with the Muslims.
The wealth of the rulers of these African empires amazed the traders from the north. Students examine the development and expansion of the West African kingdoms. Students also consider the role of trade in the expansion of an empire.
Map of West Africa showing the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires.
Key Factors in the Rise of West African Kingdoms
Students will be able to identify factors that led to the rise in power of West African Kingdoms.
Key Connections: Resources and land use contributed to the development and expansion of trade between civilizations and world religions. Economic motivations influenced territorial conquests and led to the success of kingdoms. Territorial expansion and the growth of trade and taxation influenced migration patterns and the spread of cultures, ideas, and religion.
Read also: West African Suya
Claim: Is trade necessary for advancing civilizations?
Sub-claim: What are factors that led to the rise in power of West African Kingdoms?
Essential Content - GLEs
- Explain factors that influenced the spread of Islam in West African kingdoms (trade, Mansa Musa).
- Describe the characteristics of West African Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai).
- Explain how the development of West African kingdoms was influenced by trade with different regions and how trade was carried out (trans-Saharan, salt, gold, cultural diffusion, camels, caravans).
- Compare and contrast the political, social, cultural, and economic features of the West African kingdoms under key leaders (Mali: Sundiata, Mansa Musa, Ibn Battuta. Songhai: Sunni Ali, Askia Muhammad).
- Discuss the rise and decline of the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
Ancillary Content - GLEs
- Explain the importance of geography and environment to the development of the societies in West Africa (Mali, Songhai, and Ghana).
- Explain the relationship between physical geography and the development of West African kingdoms (plentiful resources influence management of people in West African kingdoms).
- Explain the connection between trade routes, cultural diffusion, and settlements in West African kingdoms (Timbuktu, trans-Saharan trade).
The Role of Geography
Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, after Asia. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the south and west, the Indian Ocean on the southeast, the Mediterranean Sea on the north, and the Red Sea on the northeast.
Much of North Africa is covered by the great Sahara Desert, while the area south of this desert is known as sub-Saharan Africa. Its more varied geography includes rain forests, great rivers, grassy plains (savannahs), mountains, and deep valleys.
Natural barriers make land travel difficult, while powerful rapids and steep waterfalls impede the navigation of the rivers. Because of the diversity of environments and the natural barriers that separate one region from another, the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa have developed differently through the centuries.
Read also: Mauritius West Coast Accommodation
The Ancient and Medieval African Kingdoms: A Complete Overview
Use maps to locate major physical features associated with the West African kingdoms and surrounding areas, including bodies of water (Atlantic Ocean, Lake Chad, Mediterranean Sea, Niger River, Senegal River), deserts (Sahara), and mountain ranges (Atlas).
Explain how physical features and climate conditions influenced settlement, including major cities where settlement occurred in West Africa (Djenne, Gao, Koumbi, Saleh, Timbuktu).
The coordinates of West Africa are 10°N, 20°E. Climate zones present in the current area of study can be determined by recording the different climate zones on your African Civilizations Worksheet in your NOTEBOOK.
Once you have completed the above map tasks, you will predict the impact of climate on human settlement patterns in this region. In other words, how will humans be affected by the climate?
Use evidence from the maps and your outside knowledge to support your answers. Listed below are a few questions to help you in developing your claim.
Read also: Explore West African Food
- What would attract a group of humans to settle in this area?
- What climate zones contain the best conditions for human settlement?
- What physical features would attract or repel human settlement?
West African Trade
Trade between North Africa and Europe travels over the Mediterranean Sea. The Red Sea aids trade between North Africa and the Middle East.
Explain how the development of West African kingdoms was influenced by trade with different regions and how trade was carried out (trans-Saharan, salt, gold, cultural diffusion, camels, caravans).
Analyze the progression from barter to monetary exchange in the West African kingdoms, including the benefits of monetary exchange as opposed to bartering.
Use economic terms to explain why West African kingdoms expanded trade (terms include: goods, services, producers, consumers, supply, demand, scarcity, shortage, surplus, markets, import, and export).
Explain the reasons for the expansion of trade by the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai and the benefits of expanding trade.
Explain the reasons for and effects of trade and taxation for the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
Economic motivations influenced territorial conquests and led to the success of kingdoms.
Territorial expansion and the growth of trade and taxation influenced migration patterns and the spread of cultures, ideas, and religion.
Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhay
The Egyptian civilization was not the last great one in Africa. South of the Sahara Desert, other major civilizations also developed. Few written records about these civilizations still exist. Most of what we know about them comes from the reports of travelers and traders from Europe and the Middle East.
Summarize key features of ancient West African kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai).
Describe the characteristics of West African Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai).
Compare and contrast the political, social, cultural, and economic features of the West African kingdoms under key leaders (Mali: Sundiata, Mansa Musa, Ibn Battuta. Songhai: Sunni Ali, Askia Muhammad).
Discuss the rise and decline of the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
Economy of African Kingdoms
Explain how the development of West African kingdoms was influenced by trade with different regions and how trade was carried out (trans-Saharan, salt, gold, cultural diffusion, camels, caravans).
Analyze the progression from barter to monetary exchange in the West African kingdoms, including the benefits of monetary exchange as opposed to bartering.
Use economic terms to explain why West African kingdoms expanded trade (terms include: goods, services, producers, consumers, supply, demand, scarcity, shortage, surplus, markets, import, and export).
Explain the reasons for the expansion of trade by the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai and the benefits of expanding trade.
Explain the reasons for and effects of trade and taxation for the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
| Kingdom | Key Features | Key Leaders | Trade Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | Known for its wealth and trade, particularly in gold. | (Not specified in provided text) | Gold, Salt |
| Mali | Expanded through territorial conquests and trade. | Sundiata, Mansa Musa, Ibn Battuta | (Not specified in provided text) |
| Songhai | (Not specified in provided text) | Sunni Ali, Askia Muhammad | (Not specified in provided text) |
