Early West African Empires Questions

What was the first major empire to emerge in West Africa?

• Mali Empire

• Ghana Empire

• Songhai Empire

• Moroccan Empire

Why did the Ghana Empire's kings restrict ownership of gold nuggets?

• To prevent theft from other kingdoms

• To make sure only merchants could trade gold

• To ensure they remained the wealthiest people

• To protect the gold from the Almoravids

What significant achievement did Sundiata's administration create?

• The first standing army in Africa

• The Manden Charter protecting human rights

• A system of weights and measures

• A network of universities

What caused the decline of the Ghana Empire?

• Civil wars between family members

• Competition from the Mali Empire

• The death of its last ruler

• Overgrazing, drought, and invasions

Who is considered possibly the richest person in world history?

• Sundiata Keita

• Askia Muhammad

• Mansa Musa

• Sunni Ali

What made Timbuktu an important city?

• It was the capital of all three empires

• It was where gold nuggets were stored

• It was a center for Islamic studies and trade

• It was where the Manden Charter was written

How did Askia Muhammad improve the Songhai Empire's economy?

• By conquering the Mali Empire

• By introducing standardized weights and measures

• By giving away gold in other countries

• By building new trade routes

What event marked the beginning of Mali Empire's gradual decline?

• The death of Mansa Musa

• The conquest by Morocco

• The loss of Timbuktu

• The invasion of the Almoravids

How did Sunni Ali establish the Songhai Empire?

• Through peaceful negotiations

• By inheriting it from Mali

• Through military conquest

• By religious conversion

What ultimately led to the fall of the Songhai Empire?

• Moroccan invasion with advanced weapons

• Natural disasters and drought

• Economic competition from Europe

• Rebellion by conquered territories