Kingdoms of Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

Section 2 Notes

Kingdom of Ghana

Western Africa, located on the Senegal River Emerged in 500 A.D.

1st Great Traders of West Africa Gold and Salt trade

Farming communities throughout nation Strong rulers, no laws to govern with

Rulers acted as religious leader, judge, and military commander as well

Well trained army to protect Kingdom Vast wealth- resources of gold, silver,

and iron ore

Ghana Continued

Traded gold and salt but also cloth and weapons

Berbers- traders whom carried the products across the desert Camels used

About 3 miles per hours, about 60 days to reach destination

Spread of Islamic ideas through trade Literacy grew- study of the Quran

Empire of Ghana

King collected taxes on all goods traded Usually took tax payments as gold or salt blocks

King controlled/ owned all gold Preventing it from losing its value you at market

Type of economy- Government Controlled!

Elaborate dress for the wealthy 800 A.D.- reached empire status

Smaller rulers left in place over territories Like a bureaucracy

Independent rulers pay tax = freedom of state

End of Ghana

Lived in luxury for hundreds of years

Weakened by war

Collapsed in the 1200s Invasion!

Kingdom of Mali

Defeated Ghana, captured capital 1240

Extended from Atlantic Coast to Timbuktu

Wealth came from gold and salt trade

Each village had its own ruler Ruler governed and sent money to the king of Mali

Mansa

Meaning ruler

Major Ruler- Sundiata provided wealth and power to empire

re-organized government

Capital- Niani moved government westward provided more trading posts

Mansa Musa

Powerful king, 1312- 1337

Extended kingdom (double the size)

Strong central govt., kingdom divided into provinces

Timbuktu- Islamic learning center Pilgrimage to Mecca,

wanted education in Mali Built mosques and libraries

Civil War, 1359 divided Mali, beginning of the end

Kingdom of Songhai

Niger River Valley Land very fertile (yearly flooding)

Islamic kingdom Benefited from Muslim trade routes Askia the Great- expanded the kingdom,

1464 Cities- Timbuktu and Jenne Created a professional army Gave total control of trade routes to Songhai Ruled for over 30 years

Songhai Continued

Muhammad Ture- Golden Age ruler

Expansion, peaceful and secure time

After his reign entered into a decline

By 1600- Songhai completely declined Lacked modern weapons

Overthrown finally by North African armies