Unit 2 Ch. 1 The Ghana Empire Bayou Bridges

How did the kings of Ghana grow their kingdom’s economy? (5.11, 5.11.b, 5.11.c)

• They produced illuminated manuscripts.

• They collected taxes from traders.

• They maintained a strong military.

• They explored new territories.

Which detail from the map supports the conclusion that Kumbi Saleh was the most important city in Ghana? (5.5, 5.5.a, 5.6, 5.11, 5.11.b, 5.11.c)

• It was close to an ocean.

• It was near the Volta River.

• It was at the edge of the Sahara.

• It was at the center of several trade routes.

From which city did traders take a route to Egypt?

• Gao

• Walata

• Timbuktu

• Awdaghust

Why were the animals in the image ideal for the trans-Saharan trade? Select the two correct answers.

• They were easy to ride.

• They were friendly and calm.

• They could remember the location of oases.

• They could travel several days without water.

• They had broad feet for walking on hot sand.

What was one effect of the trans-Saharan trade?

• People in North Africa ended the slave trade.

• People in West Africa converted to Islam.

• Demand for gold decreased in Europe.

• Demand for salt increased in Asia.

Which line from the passage shows that salt was as valuable as precious metals in West Africa? (5.2, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.11)

After a journey of five and twenty days, [we] arrived at Teghaza, a village in which there is nothing good, for its houses and mosque are built with stones of salt, and covered with the hides of camels. For this, they dig in the earth, and find thick tables of it, so laid together as if they had been cut and placed under ground. No one, however, resides in these [houses] except the servants of the merchants, who dig for the salt. . . . To them come the people of Sudan from their different districts, and load themselves with the salt, which among them passes for money, just as gold and silver does among other nations; and for this purpose, they cut it into pieces of a certain weight, and then make their purchases with it.

• There is no tree in the place; it has nothing but sand for soil; and in this are mines of salt.

• No one, however, resides in these [houses] except the servants of the merchants, who dig for the salt. . . .

• For this, they dig in the earth, and find thick tables of it, so laid together as if they had been cut and placed under ground.

• To them come the people of Sudan from their different districts, and load themselves with the salt, which among them passes for money. . . .

Why were the economic activities described in the passage important to Ghana? (5.2, 5.2.a, 5.11)

After a journey of five and twenty days, [we] arrived at Teghaza, a village in which there is nothing good, for its houses and mosque are built with stones of salt, and covered with the hides of camels. For this, they dig in the earth, and find thick tables of it, so laid together as if they had been cut and placed under ground. No one, however, resides in these [houses] except the servants of the merchants, who dig for the salt. . . . To them come the people of Sudan from their different districts, and load themselves with the salt, which among them passes for money, just as gold and silver does among other nations; and for this purpose, they cut it into pieces of a certain weight, and then make their purchases with it.

• Salt was a key source of wealth.

• Salt was used in gold mining.

• Salt was an important part of their diet.

• Salt helped homes stay cool in the summer.

Which commodity helped Ghana expand its empire through conquest? (5.11, 5.11.b)

• iron

• gold

• kola nuts

• shea butter

What were the original religious beliefs of people living in the Ghana Empire? (5.11)

• They believed that plants and animals were sacred.

• They believed that the king was the son of a god.

• They believed that all people should visit Mecca.

• They believed that Muhammad was a prophet.

What is one reason why the Ghana Empire fell? (5.11, 5.11.b)

• The southern mines produced less gold.

• Conflict arose between Ghana’s leaders.

• The people of Mali defeated Ghana’s kings.

• Changing weather patterns caused difficulties.