West African Kingdoms

Which geographic factors MOST influenced the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?

• Plentiful salt deposits

• Location near the mountains

• Inland port cities on rivers

• Nearness to the Silk Road

• Abundance of gold

Which geographic factor MOST influenced the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?

• Location near the mountains

• Taxes collected from merchants

• Nearness to the Silk Road

• Nearness to trans-Saharan caravan routes

Which of the following statements are TRUE about the development of West African Kingdoms?

• People specialized in different jobs as a result of the growth in trading cities.

• People had leisure time to develop arts.

• The kingdoms had rich and powerful leaders.

• The kingdoms were dependent on trade with one another to power their economies.

Which characteristic of the Mali Empire is most closely associated with this image?

• trade with North Africa

• training wild animals for celebrations

• a powerful military

• wealth obtained from gold mines

Which kingdoms were the major kingdoms in West Africa?

• Mali

• Dahr

• Niani

• Songhai

• Ghana

What was an important trading city in Mali?

• Cairo

• Gao

• Timbuktu

• Alexandria

What trade did Ghana control that allowed them to become a powerful kingdom?

• ivory and wool

• leather and porcelain

• rugs and silk

• gold and salt

How did the kings of Ghana become rich?

• selling their gold mines

• borrowing money

• taxing merchants from foreign countries

• selling iron weapons

Historians get most of their information about early West African Empires from

• descriptions of masks and jewelry from the time period.

• stories written by travelers.

• oral histories passed down.

• opinions about weapons and farming tools that have survived from the time period.

This image is called the Equestrian. What do you think that term means?

• sculpture

• clay figurines

• riding horses

• a powerful military