West Africa

How did the prosperity resulting from the gold and salt trade affect the West African kingdoms in the 1300s?

• The demand for European goods increased.

• The influence of foreign merchants declined.

• Regional rulers lost their political authority.

• Islamic centers of learning emerged in cities.

Niani and Mali were important

• trade centers

• farming regions

• military outposts

• seat of governments

Which physical feature served as a barrier to trade between the West African Kingdoms and the Arabs in North Africa?

• The Nile River

• The Niger River

• The Sahara Desert

• The Red Sea

The Niger River empties into the

• Red Sea.

• Persian Gulf.

• Gulf of Guinea.

• Mediterranean Sea.

Which was an effect of Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca?

• The Empire of Mali conquered Egypt.

• Trade between West Africa and Arabia fell.

• Muslim scholars were brought back to Mali.

• Mecca gained technological advancements from Mali

Which phrase describes Mali under the rule of Mansa Musa?

• an age of exceptional growth

• a period of political chaos

• a time of extreme poverty

• a decade of colonial unrest

Which religion spread into the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai?

• Hinduism

• Christianity

• Islam

• Buddhism

The African city of Timbuktu was a center for –

• military power

• Hinduism

• Christian architecture

• trade and learning

How were epics transmitted and handed down in West African culture?

• in written works

• in cave paintings

• by griots or oral historians

• by scribes or recorders

How did the kingdoms develop in West Africa?

• Rulers used iron weapons and the wealth from trade to expand their territories

• Spiritual leaders forced the city dwellers to pay higher taxes to the kings

• Laws based on Christian tenets developed in West Africa as a result of trade with Europeans

• Leaders from small villages joined together to form representative governments