Trade and Wealth in West Africa

What ancient commodity was considered valuable and yet today has become commonplace?

(a)  

How did controlling trade routes across the Sahara desert help West African empires become powerful?

¿Cómo ayudó el control de las rutas comerciales a través del desierto del Sahara a que los imperios de África Occidental se volvieran poderosos?

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  a) It let them collect taxes from European merchants

• b) It gave them better weapons and military tools

• c) It made them wealthy and powerful by controlling valuable trade goods like salt, gold, and ivory and slaves

• d) It helped them make friends with Middle Eastern countries

Due to the geographical climate what animal was used for the Trans-Saharan Trade route (Gold-Salt Trade Route)?

(a)  

Answer explanation

Camels could go several days without water while carrying heavy loads, making it the ideal animal to travel the harsh desert climate

What was the name of the city that became an important trade post as well as a city known for its scholars?

(a)  

What does the fact that people still harvest salt in places like Bilma, Niger tell us about traditional ways of making money?

¿Qué nos dice el hecho de que la gente todavía cosecha sal en lugares como Bilma, Níger sobre las formas tradicionales de ganar dinero?

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  a) Modern technology has completely replaced old methods

• b) Some old practices continue because they still work and make money in certain places

• c) Salt is no longer worth much money

• d) The Tuareg people refuse to change with modern times