13.3 Empires of West Africa pp

Objectives: 1. Describe the West African kingdoms of Ghana and Mali. 2. Describe how the law of supply and demand works.

A. Salt (p. 362) Raising crops in the savanna was a challenge. Raising crops in the savanna was a challenge. One important product they could not produce was salt. One important product they could not produce was salt. Salt kept food from spoiling and helped restore nutrients to the body lost through perspiration. Salt kept food from spoiling and helped restore nutrients to the body lost through perspiration.

B. Gold (p. 362) In parts of western Africa, salt actually became worth its weight in gold. In parts of western Africa, salt actually became worth its weight in gold. Gold was another important item in West Africa. Gold was another important item in West Africa. Trade routes grew because of the need for salt and gold. Trade routes grew because of the need for salt and gold.

C. Ghana (p. 363) One early West African empire, Ghana, was already a major power in the region by the 700s. One early West African empire, Ghana, was already a major power in the region by the 700s. Muslim traders who entered this region were impressed by the enormous quantity of gold found there. Muslim traders who entered this region were impressed by the enormous quantity of gold found there.

D. Supply and Demand (p.363) Ghana’s merchants were allowed to handle only gold dust. Ghana’s merchants were allowed to handle only gold dust. Nuggets of gold were kept by the king, who, by keeping gold scarce, followed an important rule of economics called supply and demand. Nuggets of gold were kept by the king, who, by keeping gold scarce, followed an important rule of economics called supply and demand. By keeping gold scarce, Ghana’s kings kept its demand—and price—high. By keeping gold scarce, Ghana’s kings kept its demand—and price—high.

E. Mali (p. 364) Ghana’s kings controlled western Africa’s gold supply for over 500 years. Ghana’s kings controlled western Africa’s gold supply for over 500 years. The West African empire that rose to challenge Ghana’s dominance of the region was Mali. The West African empire that rose to challenge Ghana’s dominance of the region was Mali.

F. Sunjata (p. 364) According to legend, a Mali prince was spared being assassinated because he was disabled and seemed harmless. According to legend, a Mali prince was spared being assassinated because he was disabled and seemed harmless. His name was Sunjata, and sparing his life was a mistake because he would go on to conquer his old enemies and all of Ghana as well. His name was Sunjata, and sparing his life was a mistake because he would go on to conquer his old enemies and all of Ghana as well. He is generally regarded as the founder of Mali. He is generally regarded as the founder of Mali.

G. Timbuktu (p. 364) Like Ghana, Mali grew rich by controlling the gold trade. Like Ghana, Mali grew rich by controlling the gold trade. West African market cities were important centers in the gold commerce. West African market cities were important centers in the gold commerce. One of those cities was Timbuktu, which was located at a crossroads of major trade routes. One of those cities was Timbuktu, which was located at a crossroads of major trade routes.

Review 1. For what two trade items were West African empires famous? 2. What two factors have the greatest impact on prices? 3. What was the name of Mali’s most famous trading center?