Social Studies 7Mr. Donnelly

The Trading Kingdoms of West Africa

Learning Objective:We will understand how West Africa

developed three great kingdoms that grew wealthy through their control of trade

Do Now: If you were there…in the year 300 A.D.

You are a trader from the Middle East travelling in a caravan to West Africa. The caravan has many goods, but the most precious is salt. Your job is to trade this salt for gold. Why do you think salt was so much in demand in West Africa around the year 300?

Learning Objective & Do Now:

Berbers:The Berbers were North African people who

established trade routes through West Africa

Key Terms and People to Know:

Mansa Musa was a Muslim king who ruled the Mali Empire at the height of its’ power and who spread Islamic influence through a large part of West Africa

Mansa Musa

In Islam, Hajj is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca

Hajj

Mosques are Islamic places of worship

Mosques

Askia the Great was the Muslim ruler who led Songhai to the height of its’ power in West Africa

Songhai was one of the largest Islamic empires in history

The Songhai state existed in one form or another for over 1000 years

Askia the Great

West African trade routes were originally controlled by the Berbers, a people of North Africa

Later, three great kingdoms developed in West Africa

by winning control of these trade routes

WEST AFRICA’S GREAT KINGDOMS

Ghana was the first kingdom formed when farmers banded together to protect themselves from herders

The Ghana Kingdom built armies whose superior iron weapons let them take control of the trade in salt and gold

Ghana raised money by forcing traders who passed through its lands to pay taxes

Ghana

These trade routes brought Ghana in contact with different cultures and beliefs

In the 1060s a Muslim group attacked Ghana, forcing its’ leaders to convert to Islam

Although Ghana was weakened and eventually fell, the influence of Islam remained strong

Ghana Converts to Islam

Like Ghana, Mali was located along the upper Niger River

The fertile soil and the control of trade on the river allowed Mali to become rich and powerful

Its most famous ruler was a Muslim king, Mansa Musa

Mali

Under Mansa Musa’s leadership, Mali grew in

wealth and powerTraders came to Timbuktu, an important city,

to trade for salt, gold, metals, shells, and other goods

Mali Grows in Power & Influence

Mansa Musa conquered a kingdom called Songhai, whose people also lived along the Niger River

As the Mali empire weakened in the 1400s, Songhai regained independence

One of the greatest Songhai rulers was Muhammad Ture, who took the military name Askia the Great

Like Mansa Musa, he was a devout Muslim who supported education.

Songhai

Askia the Great built great mosques, schools, and libraries

He built a professional army and organized Songhai with governors who were loyal to him

Songhai declined soon after Askia the Great lost power

The Impact of Askia the Great