Empires of the Sahara: The Rise and Fall of Ghana

Empires of the Sahara

Explore the rise and fall of Ghana, a powerful empire that once dominated the Sahara region. Discover its rich history, cultural achievements, and the factors that led to its decline.

Empire of Ghana

Ghana, a powerful West African empire, controlled trade routes and grew wealthy. It was located between the Niger and Senegal rivers. The empire started as small groups of farmers who banded together for protection. With the introduction of iron tools and weapons, they became stronger.

Multiple Choice

How did Ghana become a powerful kingdom?

• Through military conquest and expansion
• By establishing a strong central government
• Control of trade routes and wealth from gold mining
• By forming alliances with neighboring kingdoms

Trade in Ghana

Ghana's strategic location between the desert and forests allowed for a prosperous gold and salt trade. Through a unique silent barter process, goods were exchanged without direct contact. This secrecy kept gold mines hidden, increasing Ghana's power. As the gold and salt trade increased, so did the power of Ghana's rulers. Their armies took control of the trade routes.

Multiple Choice

Which of these best describes silent barter?

• People exchange goods without speaking to each other directly

• Traders use sign language to communicate

• Trade only happens at night when people are silent

• Traders communicate with writeen notes during the exchange

Ghana's Hidden Power

The unique silent barter process allowed Ghana to keep its gold mines hidden, giving them a strategic advantage over neighboring empires. This increased Ghana's power and wealth, making it a dominant force in the region. The process also helped maintain trade routes and fostered economic growth for the empire.

Multiple Choice

What was the impact of the unique silent barter process on Ghana's power?

• It increased Ghana's power by keeping gold mines hidden.

• It decreased Ghana's power by limiting trade routes.

• It had no impact on Ghana's power.

• It led to conflicts with neighboring empires.

The Ghana Empire Grows

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.

Dropdown

Ghana became very wealthy by charging citizens a ​

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and making conquered tribes pay ​

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. The ​

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owned the gold and used it to build powerful ​

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. Conquered kings could keep their ​ power by becoming ​

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.

Open Ended

Who was the ruler of Ghana when it was at it's peak?

Decline of Ghana

Ghana's decline was influenced by the invasion of the Almoravids, a Berber Muslim dynasty. They disrupted trade routes and weakened Ghana's control over them. This led to a decrease in sources of income and hindered the empire's prosperity. They also brought herds of animals which led to overgrazing which ruined farmland. As if that weren't enough, the people of Ghana began fighting amongst themselves too. Ghana became weak and was defeated by a neighbor causing the empire to fall apart.

Multiple Select

Which of these were factors that led to the decline of the Ghana empire? Choose all that apply.

• Lack of iron tools and weapons

• Overgrazing

• Internal rebellion

• Invasion by neighboring empires