Quiz on the Kingdom of Songhai

How did physical geography influence the development of the kingdom of Songhai? (Choose 2)

• Gao had a central position on the trade routes.

• Gao was in a good position to expand into east Africa.

• Gao was the city furthest from the Atlantic trade routes.

• Gao was further east and deeper into the Sahara desert than Djenne and Timbuktu.

Which statements describe the rise of the Songhai kingdom? (Choose 2)

• As the kingdom of Mali lost its power, Songhai gained power.

• Songhai attacked the already weakened Djenne and Timbuktu.

• Songhai began to grow along the Niger River 1000 years before it rose to power.

• Songhai formed an army with traders of the Trans-Saharan caravan trade route to overthrow the Mali kingdom.

What action did King Sunni Ali Ber take that expanded the Kingdom of Songhai?

• He expanded trade into South Africa.

• He captured Timbuktu and then Djenne.

• He got the support of Mediterranean kingdoms.

• He formed an alliance with his northern neighbors.

Identify the kingdom each description is associated with. Which kingdom was first to trade in salt?

• Ghana

• Mali

• Songhai

• All the kingdoms

How did King Sunni Ali Ber centralize the Songhai government?

• Ali maintained complete control of the Songhai government as king.

• Ali provided his loyal subjects control to rule in the best interests of their king.

• Ali only allowed a small group of individuals to help ensure the proper function of the government.

• Ali appointed a few trusted advisors and then allowed his subjects to appoint delegates from each area of the kingdom of Songhai.

How did King Sunni Ali Ber build a powerful Songhai army? (Choose 2)

• He introduced firearms, such as muskets.

• He created a professional army of paid soldiers.

• He provided land and goods to his military leaders.

• He used fear to rule his army so the army would remain loyal.

How did Songhai’s army contribute to the expansion of the Songhai kingdom and economy? (Choose 3)

• Its army forced people to work in the gold mines.

• People of defeated lands were forced to join the army or become enslaved people.

• Its army forced people to carry goods through the desert.

• Enslaved people the army captured in battle helped build roads, bridges, and buildings.

• Its army protected Songhai’s trade routes.

What was the main source of strength of Songhai’s economy?

• agriculture

• army

• enslaved people

• trade

What helped support Songhai’s economy before Songhai became powerful?

• agriculture

• enslaved people

• gold

• trade

After the death of Sunni Ali Ber, how did King Askia Mohammed I change Songhai? (Choose 2)

• He expanded Songhai to the Atlantic Ocean.

• His actions led to the golden age of Islamic civilization in Songhai.

• He expanded the trade of enslaved peoples in Songhai to lead all other trade.

• He built a fierce army of soldiers that raided areas outside of Songhai on horseback.