Societies Of West Africa

Societies Of West Africa U.S. History Ms.Swearingen

Societies of West Africa • Main Idea: • The peoples of West Africa developed sophisticated kingdoms, trade networks, and artistic achievements. • Why It Matters : • It was from this region that many Africans were brought to the Americas.

African Geography and World Trade Second largest continent after Asia. Variety of landforms and climates, ¾ of Africa lies within the tropics. Dense rainforests stretch along the equator in central and western Africa. North and south of the rain forests lie broad savannas, which are grassy plains with thorny bushes and scattered trees. In the north is the Sahara, the worlds largest desert. 2 Deserts: In the south lies the smaller Kalaharidesert. Rain forests along the equator and savanna to the north. West Africa: The Niger river arcs across the grasslands and forests then dumps into the Atlantic. borders the Sahara to the north.

Physical Map of Africa West Africa Sahara Kalahari

African Geography and World Trade • By 1500 CE, coastal ports had linked Africa with the rest of the world, for many centuries. • Ports on the Mediterranean and red sea linked to Arabia and Persia. • East coast Africa carried out trade through the Indian ocean.

Ghana Grows Wealthy Camels made it possible to link Ghana across the Sahara. Ghana the first to grow wealthy from trade. Ghana became wealthy by controlling the trade of gold and salt. (Salt helps the body retain water in hot weather.) Ghanaian kings imposed taxes on goods. taxes had to be paid in gold. Used the wealth to pay for an army and to build an empire.

Islam Enters Ghana Many traders who came to Ghana from North Africa were Muslim. Muslimsare the followers of the religion of Islam. • Islam: • Founded by the prophet Mohammad in the 600s CE. • One God, Allah. • Must perform five prayers daily. • Must make a pilgrimage to Mecca. As Islam was brought to Ghana, its rulers allowed Muslims to build Mosques in the capital Kumbi Saleh. Eventually, Ghana’s rulers began to employ Muslims as advisors. Muslims wanted to convert Ghana to Islam to control the trade of gold. By 1076 CE a Muslim army had conquered the capital Kumbi Saleh, lessening Ghana’s power.

Islam Enters Ghana A weakened Ghana allowed local leaders to build up small states on the edges of a once mighty empire. Over the next several centuries, more and more West Africans converted to Islam. • Why could this be important for the future of America? • Because many of the enslaved Africans who were brought to America were Muslim. Of course, with the movement of people you also have the movement of culture and ideas.

Mali Replaces Ghana By 1200 CE, Mali had taken over most of Ghana’s territory. It’s wealth came from theGoldand Salt Trade. It was better able to control the trade with the use of the Niger River. Mali’s first great ruler, Sundiata reigned from 1230-1255. Conquered many important trading sites. Sundiata was Muslim but did not force his subjects to convert. Most of the people in Mali retained their African beliefs.

Mali • Mansa Musa ruled Mali beginning in 1312. • Under his leadership, the empire became one of the largest in the world. Mansa Musa made his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-1325 CE. Along the way he stopped in the Egyptian city Cairo. His caravan contained over 500 servants and 80 camels strapped with sacks full of gold. This extravagant display cause the legend of Mali’s wealth to spread. • How might this have had an affect on the way Mali traded their gold and salt? • Word spread in major trading cities and is a major reason Europe would begin trading with Mali later.

The Empire of Songhai As Mali’s power decreased, the Songhai people living by the Niger River broke away from its control Under the leader Sunni Ali they built an empire beginning around 1464. Captured the great city of Timbuktu and the city of Djenné. In addition to conquering trade territories, Sunni Ali set up an organized system of government..

Songhai After the death of Sunni Ali in 1492, Conflicts arose and a rebellion broke out. Led by Muslims, they wanted Islam to be the only religion of the Songhai. The leader of the revolt was Askia Muhammad, a devoted Muslim. Became Songhai’s second great emperor and ruled for around 35 years. Chose capable officials to run the government. Expanded trade and set up an efficient tax system Used wealth to build mosques and support Muslim scholars.

Songhai By 1591, The Songhai were defeated by Northern African fighting force from Morocco. Despite its wealth and learning, Songhai lacked modern weapons to compete with the gunpowder and cannons. The Songhai were armed with spears and swords.

Societies Of West Africa