Early African Civilizations Lesson 2

​Early African Civilizations Lesson 2

​Main ideas

1. Ghana grew as larger populations settled on desert trade routes.

2. Ghana controlled trade and became wealthy.

3. Through its control of trade, Ghana built an empire.

4. Ghana’s decline was caused by attacking invaders, overgrazing, and the loss of trade.

Multiple Choice

Ghana controlled _________ and became wealthy.

• power

• land

• trade

• Africa

​Key Terms and People

silent barter: a process in which people exchange goods without ever contacting each other directly

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income: taxes, tributes, and gold

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Tunka Manin: Ghana’s king who ruled the empire at the height of its power

Multiple Choice

Tunka Manin: Egyptian king who ruled the empire at the height of its power

• True

• False

​An Empire at the Desert's Edge

Ghana, a West African empire, profited from Saharan trade because it gained control of the trade routes. This made it a powerful state.

Open Ended

How did Ghana become powerful?

​Ghana lay between the Niger and Senegal rivers in sub-Saharan Africa, northwest of the nation now called Ghana. Historians think the first people were farmers. Starting around 300, these farmers were threatened by nomadic herders. The herders wanted the water and pastures---(land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals, especially cattle or sheep.. For protection, small groups banded together. These groups grew stronger with the introduction of farming tools and weapons made of iron.

Open Ended

What did the nomadic herders want from the farmers?

Draw

Draw an image of a pasture.

​Trade in Ghana And West Africa

Ghana lay between the desert and the forests. These were areas rich with gold and salt. The gold and salt trade sometimes followed a silent barter process. In this process, people exchange goods without contacting each other directly. This kept business peaceful and the location of gold mines secret. As gold and salt trade increased, Ghana’s rulers gained power. Their armies took control of the trade routes.

Open Ended

What kept business peaceful and the location of gold mines a secret?

​Ghana was influenced by Islam in its written language, currency, architecture, and business practices. Muslims were government officials too.

Draw

Draw an image of something that was influenced by Islam.

​Ghana Builds an Empire

​​By 800, Ghana was firmly in control of West Africa’s trade routes. As a result, trade became safer and Ghana’s influence increased. Traders and Ghana’s people were charged a tax. Conquered tribes paid tribute. The kings made gold their property. Taxes, tributes, and gold were income.

​The kings built a powerful army and conquered other tribes. However, Ghana’s kings allowed former rulers to keep their own power. They acted as governors of their territories. Ghana reached its peak under Tunka Manin (toohn-kah mah-nin). He had a splendid court with many luxuries.

​Ghana's Decline

​By the end of the 1200s, Ghana had collapsed. Three major factors contributed to its decline. A Muslim group called the Almoravids attacked and tried to force Ghana’s leaders to convert to Islam. The attacks weakened the empire. Also, the Almoravids brought herds of animals with them. Their animals overgrazed and ruined the farmland. Many farmers left. At around the same time, internal rebellion occurred. People took over trade routes. However, they could not keep order. Ghana was attacked and defeated by a neighbor. The empire fell apart.

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Multiple Choice

A group called the Almoravids attacked and tried to force Ghana’s leaders to convert to __________.

• Christianity

• Islam

• Hinduism

• Judaism

Open Ended

Give one reason for the decline of Ghana's empire.