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-Islam spread through northern Africa by way of conquest
-Once it reached Ghana, it spread by way of trade or cultural diffusion in addition to conquest
-Islam was adopted by rulers in Ghana leading to literacy among elite class
-By 1076, Islamic Almoravids from the north conquered Ghana, but eventually chose to leave
Document Checkpoint: With a partner, read the following document and respond to the accompanying questions
"The Arab traders of this region wanted gold as much as the Wangara wanted salt, but both had to pass through Ghana to trade... Ghana controlled land... it had military forces... to maintain peace in the area, thereby assuring safe trade for the Arabs and the Wangara. Ancient Ghana was an extremely complex empire. It possessed many of the characteristics of powerful nations today: wealth based on trade, sufficient food to feed its people, income derived from taxes, social organization that ensured justice and efficient political control, a strong army equipped with advanced weapons, and a foreign policy that led to peace and cooperation with other people." - Taken from Through African Eyes
Final Document Checkpoint: Read the following article with your partner and respond to the accompanying questions
"Departing from the policy of Sunni Ali, Askia Mohammed sought to make all of the empire [of Songhai] one big Muslim community. Although he did not succeed in converting the entire Sudan [region bordering the southern Sahara] to Islam, he remodeled his empire along Islamic lines as far as possible. Legal and social reforms were introduced, Islamic judges were appointed in all the large districts of the empire, and justice was administered according to Muslim principles rather than traditional African laws. The court of Askia Mohammed was the highest court of the land, to which appeals from the lower courts could be brought..." - Fred Burke, Africa, Houghton Mifflin (adapted)
1.) Explain why Ghana played such a key role in the Gold/salt trade of West Africa. Support your answer with evidence from the document.
2.) Describe the methods used by Ghana to maintain order within their region. How do these methods compare to those used by modern nations today?
1.) Describe the major change that Askia Mohammed made after conquering the Songhai empire. Hypothesize about the impact this change would have on Songhai citizens who lived under Sunni Ali.
2.) How does this passage demonstrate the concept of cultural diffusion through conquest? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.
-Trading center for gold and salt in west Africa (c. 700 C.E.)
-Gold/salt trade leads to rulers gaining wealth and building a kingdom in Ghana
-Arab traders entered from the north seeking gold, and merchants from the south sought salt
-Ghana rulers taxed any trade that passed through their territory leading to increase in wealth
-Also kept gold hoards to control value of gold - how can we relate this strategy to modern times?
-Songhai people break away in response to decline of Mali
-Gained control of key trade routes for gold and salt
-Under Sunni Ali (c. 1464-1494 C.E.) Songhai conquers Timbuktu
-Succeeded by son who is overthrown by Askia Muhammad who doubts the successors faith to Islam
-Songhai prospers domestically, but fails to advance militarily
-Eventually conquered by Moroccans equipped with gunpowder and cannons from the north
-This brings an end to a 1000 year reign over the region by West African Trading Kingdoms
-Founded by Mande speaking people south of Ghana (c. 1235 C.E.)
-Led by Sundiata who becomes "Mansa" or emperor of Mali
-Sundiata uses military effectively to take over Ghana, Kumbi and Walata
-Succeeded by Mansa Musa who rules 1312-1332
-Takes pilgrimage to Mecca and upon return orders Mosques to be built in Timbuktu and Gao (east) - Timbuktu became a cultural center for Islam
-Expands empire to ~twice that of Ghana - eventually Mali weakens as gold trade moves east
Respond to
the following
questions
based on
the map>>
1.) Explain
the trade
relationships
on the map
in terms of
players involved,
and items traded.
2.) How does this map
demonstrate the concept of cultural diffusion through trade?
1.) If you were going to live in Africa during the time period 600 C.E., which parts of the country would you select? Support your claim with evidence from the map as well as your knowledge of past civilizations.
2.) Form a hypothesis: what obstacles would a civilization in West Africa have faced in order to trade with a European, or a Middle Eastern nation. How might they have overcome those obstacles?
3.) Besides physical commodities such as gold/salt, what other exchanges may have occurred between West African Kingdoms and foreign nations?
There are four poster boards in each corner of the room. They are labeled as follows:
1. Ghana
2. Mali
3. Songhai
4. Cultural Diffusion
The class will be divided into groups of 4-5 and each group will start at a different poster. In 2-3 minutes, you will draw something on the poster that represents the title. Once time is up, you will rotate to the next poster and repeat this action. If you have any confusions and/or comments to make on another group's drawing, you may write them down. You should comment on at least one other group's drawing.
We will discuss the posters collectively at the conclusion.