West African Empires and Their Significance

Mr. Fredo introduces the three great empires of West Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. He emphasizes their historical significance and compares them to the Roman Empire. Ghana is noted for its wealth through a unique taxation system. Mali is famous for Mansa Musa's wealth and the city of Timbuktu, a center for education and trade. Songhai, the largest empire, is known for its administrative division into provinces. The video highlights the impressive legacies of these empires and their impact on world history.

Which of the following empires is NOT one of the three great empires of West Africa discussed in the video?

• Mali

• Ghana

• Roman

• Songhai

What geographical feature was crucial for the survival of the West African empires?

• The Nile River

• The Atlantic Ocean

• The Sahara Desert

• The Niger River

What was the unique taxation strategy used by the Ghana Empire to amass wealth?

• No taxation system

• Double taxation on entry and exit

• Taxing only foreign traders

• Taxing only gold traders

What was the primary reason for the decline of the Ghana Empire?

• Rebellion by local tribes

• Unfortunate circumstances

• Exhaustion of gold mines

• Invasion by the Romans

Who was the ruler of Mali known for being the richest person in history?

• Sundiata Keita

• Askia the Great

• Sunni Ali

• Mansa Musa

What was Timbuktu known for during the Mali Empire?

• A royal residence

• A mining town

• A center for education, religion, and trade

• A military base

Which empire first incorporated Timbuktu into its territory?

• Ghana

• Mali

• Songhai

• Roman

Which empire was the largest but lasted the shortest among the three?

• Songhai

• Ghana

• Roman

• Mali

How did the Songhai Empire manage its vast territory?

• By centralizing power in Timbuktu

• By dividing it into five provinces

• By appointing local chiefs

• By forming alliances with neighboring tribes

What is the significance of the West African empires in world history?

• They were the largest empires in history

• They left a lasting legacy and changed the world

• They were the first empires to use iron tools

• They were the first to establish trade routes