West Africa-. The Rise of Kingdoms and Empires

West Africa-. The Rise of Kingdoms and Empires

​

Trade was a major factor in the rise of West African kingdoms. Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were all trading powers that ruled over large areas. Historians often refer to them as empires, as well as kingdoms. How did these first kingdoms develop? The rulers of some trading cities in West Africa became wealthy by collecting taxes from the goods that were bought and sold. With their wealth, they could afford to raise large armies. These armies could conquer other trading areas nearby. Then the ruler could take over the trade of those areas and become even wealthier

Rulers also collected tribute from the people they conquered. The payment of tribute was an indication that the conquered people accepted the king's authority. Tribute could also pay for the king's protection from outside attackers.

West African kings were both the political and the religious leaders of their kingdoms. People believed that the gods gave them special powers. The kings performed religious ceremonies to please the gods.

[tribute: payment made by one ruler or country to another for protection or as a sign of submission]

As a king conquered more territory, the kingdom became an empire. Occasionally, a king sent a governor to rule a conquered area, while other times he allowed conquered people to rule themselves.

Becoming part of a kingdom or an empire had disadvantages such as the obligation to pay tribute.  Another was that men had to serve in the king's army.  However, there were also advantages.  Kings provided protection for the conquered territory.  Armies ensured that trade routes remained safe, and they kept out raiders and foreign armies.  Wars between small cities ended.  Kings collected luxury goods from their subjects and distributed them fairly throughout the kingdom.  They also gave expensive presents to their governors.

The great kingdoms of West Africa did not rely only on local trade.  By the time Ghana became a significant power, trans-Saharan trade was directing new wealth to West Africa from other regions, such as the present-day Middle East.  Control of trade, particularly in West African gold, was also crucial to the power of Mali.  Songhai, too, relied on trade with distant lands.

Three major kingdoms—Ghana, Songhai, and Mali—arose in West Africa between 500 and 1600 C.E. Each of these kingdoms benefitted from trade.

Multiple Choice

Growing kingdoms would target other areas where trade was common.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Tribute is a payment from a conquered group collected by the conquering ruler

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

armies made sure trade routes were safe

• advantage of being part of a kingdom.

• Disadvantage of being part of a kingdom.

Multiple Choice

The men had to serve in the army

• advantage of being part of a kingdom.

• Disadvantage of being part of a kingdom.

Multiple Choice

They kept out foreign armies and raiders

• advantage of being part of a kingdom.

• Disadvantage of being part of a kingdom.

Multiple Choice

Wars between small cities ended

• advantage of being part of a kingdom.

• Disadvantage of being part of a kingdom.