Kingdom of Benin 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

You will write 10 supporting details about the three remaining West African civilizations

Two products, gold and salt, dominated the Sahara trade. Trading Gold and Salt Two products, gold and salt, dominated the Sahara trade. West Africans had the natural resource of gold and exchanged it for salt. Salt was a valuable commodity or valuable product. Why would salt be a commodity for anyone living in West Africa?

Gold Wealth of Ghana (Soninke People) Ghana is located between the Niger and the Senegal river, this is where the king controlled gold-salt trade routes across West Africa. The capital was then Kumbi Saleh. A luxurious center of trade. Islamic communities settled in Ghana and was active in all aspects of the community including technology, military, language, and government.

The Kingdom of Mali Ghana was taken over by a new power, the West African Kingdom of Mali. The Mansas, or kings of Mali expanded their influence over both regions to the south and the salt supplies of Taghaza.

Mansa Musa

The Greatest Emperor He expanded Mali’s borders westward to the Atlantic Ocean and pushed northward to conquer many cities. Mansa Musa extended the frontiers of Mali and had a more effective system of governance and business. He conquered and opened up cities like Gao and Timbuktu.

Don’t Copy -Legend Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim. In 1324 he was making his hajj to ? It was alleged that he took 500 people on his journey and bags of gold nuggets. When he passed through Cairo he gave away so much gold that it took 12 years for the prices to become normal in again in Egypt.

New Empire in Songhai Songhai had become the capital of a new trading city known as Gao. Soldier-King, Sonni Ali brought trade routes and wealthy cities like Timbuktu under his control. Askia Muhammad set up a Muslim dynasty. He expanded the territory of Songhai, improved government, and set up a bureaucracy with departments for farming, the army, and the treasury.

West Africa Rev. Questions 1. Why was the gold salt trade so significant in West Africa? (Pg. FL54) 2.Identify three ways in the Ghanian kingdom the king created an empire.(Pg. FL 54) 3. How did Islam spread in North Africa? 4. Why were Sundiata and Mansa Musa powerful leaders? (Please be detailed)FL.55 5.Summarize the beginning,middle, and end of the Songhai Empire(Fl. 56)