Social Classes in the Songhai Empire

The video tutorial covers the social structure of the Songhai Empire, which consisted of four main classes: the royal class, the elite class, the citizen class, and the slave class. The royal class included the king and the royal family. The elite class comprised political, intellectual, and social elites, including advisors, ministers, and educators. The citizen class was the most populous, consisting of agricultural and military workers, with opportunities for upward mobility to the elite class. The slave class, at the bottom, included war captives and European-bound slaves, who could become citizens but not elites. The video concludes with a recap of these social divisions.

What are the four main social classes in the Songhai Empire?

• Royal, Elite, Citizen, Slave

• Royal, Merchant, Citizen, Slave

• Royal, Elite, Peasant, Slave

• Elite, Merchant, Citizen, Peasant

Who were included in the royal class of the Songhai Empire?

• Artisans and Educators

• War Captives and Slaves

• The King and the Royal Family

• Noblemen and Traders

Which group was considered part of the political elite in the Songhai Empire?

• Farmers and Laborers

• War Captives and Slaves

• Advisors and Ministers

• Artisans and Educators

What was a key characteristic of the elite class in the Songhai Empire?

• They were the largest social class

• They were restricted from owning land

• They included political, intellectual, and social elites

• They were primarily war captives

What was a characteristic of the citizen class in the Songhai Empire?

• They were restricted from any social mobility

• They could move to the elite class through certain means

• They were primarily war captives

• They were part of the royal family

How could someone from the citizen class move to the elite class?

• Through civil service or training for Islamic leadership

• By becoming a war captive

• By trading with European merchants

• By marrying into the royal family

Which class was considered the most popular in the Songhai Empire?

• Citizen Class

• Royal Class

• Elite Class

• Slave Class

What was a common occupation for those in the citizen class?

• Political advisors

• Agricultural and military employees

• Royal family members

• European traders

What was the primary role of the slave class in the Songhai Empire?

• To engage in trade with other empires

• To lead military campaigns

• To work as domestic servants and laborers

• To serve as political advisors

What was a limitation placed on freed slaves in the Songhai Empire?

• They could not move to the elite class

• They could not become citizens

• They were not allowed to own property

• They were required to return to their masters