World History – Unit 1: Topic 1.5 State Building in Africa

Power concentrated in a central authority

Power shared among local groups or communities

No formal political structure

Rule by foreign empires

Power shared among local groups or communities

Power held by a single monarch

Rule by foreign invaders

Strict adherence to Islamic law

Trans-Saharan Trade

Silk Road Trade

Atlantic Slave Trade

Pacific Trade Route

It was used to legitimize rulers and connect to Islamic intellectual and trade networks.

It led to the abandonment of all local traditions.

It caused the decline of trade networks.

It resulted in the isolation of West Africa.

Great Zimbabwe

Mali Empire

Ghana Empire

Songhai Empire

Mali Empire

Songhai Empire

Ghana Empire

Benin Empire

Indian Ocean Trade routes

Trans-Saharan Trade routes

Atlantic Slave Trade routes

Silk Road routes

It linked East African coastal cities to Arabia, India, and China.

It isolated East Africa from the rest of the world.

It only allowed the exchange of gold.

It was limited to local trade within Africa.

To promote foreign trade

To provide structure for leadership and resource distribution

To encourage isolation from other cultures

To abolish traditional beliefs

Building stone structures

Managing taxation and trade efficiently across a large empire

Developing new religious practices

Creating new languages