African Kingdoms-Dowdy 2

If you could only bring 3 items to
travel the sahara desert, what would

you bring?
TRADE NETWORKS CREATED NEW CITIES, AND RULERS
GAINED POWER BY COLLECTING TAXES.
TRADING EMPIRES
- GHANA
- MALI
- SONGHAI
Color the map of
the 3 kingdoms.
Songhai= yellow
Mali= purple
Ghana=Green
Beginning around 750 AD...
KINGDOMS BEGAN TO DEVELOP A LONG-DISTANCE TRADE
- GOLD
- SALT: RARE AND EXPENSIVE
GOODS WERE NOT THE ONLY THING EXCHANGED
- LAW
- RELIGION: ISLAM
How did the trade route start?
The Trans-Saharan Trade Route began when the use of camels
and caravans were used. Camels were the only animals who
could make it across the long treks in the desert. Salt and
gold were two of the most important items for trade. Salt was
highly valuable and sought after by the Western African
Kingdoms.
Why was salt so valuable?
Salt was so valuable that people considered it equal with
gold! There were even occasions where it was used as currency.
The reason salt was so valuable was because it was used a meat
preserver. In the heat of the desert, it kept meat from going
bad in the scorching sun.
Salt trade was so prominent that many ancient

kingdoms fought over who would control the salt
mines and subsequently, the salt trade.
Trans-Saharan Trade Route
Gold, salt, slaves, and ivory weren't the only things
that were brought along the trade route. Islam spread
from the Middle East to kingdoms along Northern and
Western Africa. Many ancient rulers converted to Islam as
well as their citizens. Islam brought law and order to
kingdoms that were otherwise chaotic.
Kingdom of Ghana
The Empire of Ghana was a kingdom in West Africa from 700 -
1200 AD.
It was located within the present-day borders of
Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal, medieval Ghana literally
sat on a gold mine.
The main source of wealth for this kingdom was Iron and
Gold. Iron was used to produce strong weapons and tools.
Gold was used to trade with other kingdoms for necessary
goods.
They began creating trade routes with Northern Africa and
the Middle East.
They also gained wealth by taxing the gold and salt trade that
came through Western Africa.
Kingdom of Ghana
The citizens of the Empire of Ghana actually referred to their kingdom
as "Wagadugu". Ghana was actually the name for the empire's king.
The Ghana (king) had all of the power and made all of the laws. He was
the head of the army, chief or trade, and appointed all of his advisors.
Each day the king would listen to complaints of the people and serve as
the judge.
To test if someone was guilty, they would make them drink a
disgusting drink. If they threw up, innocent. If they did not throw up,
then they were guilty.
Ghana sustained many attacks over the years and eventually was
weakened enough that it was absorbed into the Kingdom of Mali.
- 1ST
- TRADED SALT AND GOLD
- “LAND OF GOLD”
- THE KING OF GHANA USED A SYSTEM OF TAXES ON

GOODS TRADED. WITH THE EXCESS OF GOLD, HE
CREATED A STRONG ARMY TO KEEP THE TRADE
ROUTE SAFE
GHana - SUCCESS LED TO:
POPULATION
RESOURCES
Why would a larger
population would lead
to deficit in natural
resources...
Kingdom of Mali
Mali began after the kingdom of Ghana fell. It lasted from 1235
AD-1600sAD. Sundiata, known as the "Lion King" was the first king of
Mali. He set up a social system where you were destined to be what
your family was. He continued trading gold for salt and helped his
kingdom to become even wealthier than Ghana had been.
Kingdom of Mali
The kingdom of Mali really began to flourish under
Sundiata's nephew, Mansa Musa. He is considered to
be one of the richest people in all of history!
Mansa Musa introduced Islam to the Kingdom of
Mali and made it one of the first Muslim States in
Northern Africa. Islamic laws were apart of the
justice system and major cities such as Timbuktu and
Gao were made into international cities of learning.
After the death of Mansa Musa, the Kingdom of Mali
was not able to recover. Over the years it weakened
and fell to the next great empire.
- REPLACED GHANA
- FOR THE NEXT 300 YEARS MALI CONTROLLED
THE GOLD AND SALT TRADE
MANSA MUSA
Mali - LEADER OF MALI
- SPREAD ISLAM
● STRENGTHENED TIES WITH
NORTHERN AFRICA
How did mansa musa
help strengthen ties
with northern africa?
- LARGEST
- MOST POWERFUL
- RICHEST
Songhai
TRADE NETWORKS CREATED NEW CITIES, AND RULERS
GAINED POWER BY COLLECTING TAXES.
TRADING EMPIRES
- GHANA
- MALI
- SONGHAI
Have you REALLY
looked at the
location of the 3
trading empires?!
Which river surrounded the
kingdoms of africa?

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If you could only bring 3 items to

travel the sahara desert, what would

GOODS WERE NOT THE ONLY THING EXCHANGED

Salt trade was so prominent that many ancient

- THE KING OF GHANA USED A SYSTEM OF TAXES ON

GHana - SUCCESS LED TO:

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