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North & West African Civilizations - Coggle Diagram
North & West African Civilizations
Islamic Influences
Why would the disruption of trade destroy Ghana’s power
Because Ghana's power was based on wealth gained from controling trade.
how did temporary control by the Almoravids cause the decline of the kingdom of ghana
Gold-Salt Trade
the two most important trade were gold and salt.
gold came from the forest region
Miners dug gold from shafts as deep as
100 feet or sifted it from fast-moving streams.
Although rich in gold West Africa's Savannah and forests lacked salt which was used for essential life.
the sahara contained and deposits salt
Is trade a common thing today?
people would go around and collect these materials and trade them for slaves which were popular in the sahara desert.
Merchants would travel to cities and exchange goods under the watchful kings tax collector
TRADE
Social Organization
The king was considered the supreme ruler, administrative class helped the king run the government
Other people in Ghana's society included miners, agricultural laborers, metal workers, and leather crafters
As Ghana's rule strengthened and trade continued, the empire's cities began to develop similarities
Skilled craftsmen enjoyed a privileged place in society, some were supported by the king's court
At its height the empire included many people, some of which had their own language and customs.
Ghana was a matrilineal society. Inheritance passed through the mother's lineage
Why was inheritance only passed down throuhg the mother's side?
Civilizations/ Government Systems
Land of gold
By 800 Ghana had become an empire because Ghana's king controlled trade and commanded a large army, he could demand taxes and gifts from the chiefs of surrounding lands
he could demand taxes and gifts from the chiefs of surrounding lands
as long as the chiefs made their payments, the king left them in peace to rule their own people
in his palace the king stored gold nuggets and slabs of salt. king had the right to own gold nuggets. even though gold dust freely circulated in the marketplace
the king limited the supply of gold and kept its price from falling. Ghana's African ruler acted as a religious leader, chief judge, and military commander. he headed a large bureaucracy and could call up a huge army.
Empire of Ghana
Trade across the Sahara
Trade across the Sahara had existed for centuries. However, it remained infrequent and irregular because of the harsh desert conditions. Most pack animals—oxen, donkeys, and horses—could not travel very far in the hot, dry Sahara without rest or water.
With the camel, nomads blazed new routes across the desert and trade increased
Progressivism
Other technologies and developments also facilitated interregional trade between North and West Africa. The ironmaking technologies that had developed by 500 BC in West Africa enabled trade as people manufactured agricultural tools, weaponry, and other implements.
Iron weapons helped helped West African empires keep order on trade routes while also providing safe passage for merchants.
Iron tools also helped increase agricultural production, and agricultural surplus could be traded. Pottery made locally could be used to store and transport goods, and canoes were used to carry materials and goods along the Niger River to trading towns.
Other developments
Arabic writing became important for recording contracts sharing information, and keeping other records.
Plentiful food also meant that more people could specialize in areas such as metalworking, trading, or administration.
