Table of Contents
- 1 Which two trade goods were the most important to the African trading empires of Ghana?
- 2 Why was Songhai a powerful kingdom?
- 3 What was Songhai best known for trading before it became a powerful kingdom?
- 4 What factors contributed to the success of the Songhai Empire?
- 5 What was the backbone of Songhai power?
Which two trade goods were the most important to the African trading empires of Ghana?
What were Ghana’s two most important trade items? Gold was found in a forest region between the Niger and Senegal rivers. 2/3s of the world’s gold came from West Africa.
Why was Songhai a powerful kingdom?
It was dominated by and named after the Songhay (aka Sonhrai), a group of Nilo-Saharan-speaking peoples. Although conquered by the Mali Empire, the Songhai people would prove troublesome and powerful because they controlled river transport on the Niger.
Which two trade goods were most important to the Songhai kingdom?
When Mossi raids destroyed the Mali empire, the rising Songhai empire relied on the same resources. Gold remained the principal product in the trans-Saharan trade, followed by kola nuts and slaves.
Which of the following rivers helped the development of the West African empires?
the Niger River
Along the Niger River in West Africa great civilizations arose. The role this river played in the development of civilizations is one example of the way the physical geography of West Africa affected history there. Look closely at the map on the next page and find the Niger River.
What was Songhai best known for trading before it became a powerful kingdom?
It was a great cosmopolitan market place where kola nuts, gold, ivory, slaves, spices, palm oil and precious woods were traded in exchange for salt, cloth, arms, horses and copper. Islam had been introduced to the royal court of Songhai in 1019, but most people remained faithful to their traditional religion.
What factors contributed to the success of the Songhai Empire?
An intricate system of silent trade, transport, safe passage for merchants, and control over a vast array of tribes facilitated the countries success in trade. When these empires declined, so too did the trade in gold. The historical sources for the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai are written Arabic sources.
What was the significance of Ghana Mali and Songhai?
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were three of the greatest western African trading states. Beginning with Ghana as early as 300 c.e. and ending with the conquest of the Songhai by Morocco in the 16th century c.e., they dominated the trade of gold, salt, and merchandise between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
What made the gold trade so successful in West Africa?
The internal strength of these West African empires was what made the gold trade so successful. An intricate system of silent trade, transport, safe passage for merchants, and control over a vast array of tribes facilitated the countries success in trade. When these empires declined, so too did the trade in gold.
What was the backbone of Songhai power?
The backbone of Songhai power was the mighty Niger River. As the empires of Ghana and Mali rose and fell, the Songhai fishermen slowly expanded from a region south of the great bend of the river Niger.