1. Societies of West Africa

2. African Geography and World Trade
Africa is second largest continent; variety of land forms and climate
By A.D. 1500, trade routes link African coastal ports with rest of world
West Africa has rain forest and savanna; the Sahara borders the north
African Geography and World Trade

4. Camel caravans cross Sahara; connect West Africa with rest of world
First West African kingdom, Ghana, grows rich from gold and salt trade
Controls this trade from 700s to mid-1000s
Kings impose taxes, use wealth for army, build empire
Ghana Grows Wealthy

5. Islam Enters Ghana Muslims—followers of the religion Islam
Islam—founded by prophet Muhammad; teaches that there is one God, Allah
Muslim traders bring Islam from North Africa to West Africa
In 1076, Muslim army conquers Ghana city and weakens Ghana’s power
Islam Enters Ghana

6. Mali Replaces Ghana By 1200s, kingdom of Mali conquers most of Ghana
Its wealth also comes from gold-salt trade
Mali’s ruler, Sundiata, increases Mali’s power, prosperity
Other great leader, Mansa Musa (1312–1337), is Muslim
Shows off wealth to rest of world; spreads Islamic culture in Mali
After Mansa Musa’s death, Mali slowly weakens
Mali Replaces Ghana

8. Songhai people break away from Mali, begin own empire
Led by Sunni Ali, they capture Timbuktu, set up governmental system
Sunni Ali dies (1492); led by Askia Muhammad, Muslims take over
Askia Muhammad expands trade, sets up tax system, builds Mosques
After his death, Songhai weakens; Moroccan army defeats Songhai (1591)
The Empire of Songhai

9. Other West African Kingdoms
Hausa states emerge after A.D in northern Nigeria; trade thrives
Yoruba live southwest of Niger River, mostly farmers, have gifted artists
Kingdom of Benin in delta of Niger River prospers through trade
In late 1400s, Portuguese and other Europeans trade goods with Benin
Europeans also trade for enslaved Africans
Use enslaved laborers to work on large farms, called plantations
Other West African Kingdoms