West African Civilizations

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West African Civilizations

• Ch. 15 (pp. 413 417)

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Introduction

• Three powerful empires developed in African from
  about 1000 A.D. 1500 A.D.
• They all developed in the Sahel
• The savanna below the Sahara (see map)
• These empires included Ghana, Mali Songhai

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Empire of Ghana

• Around 700 A.D., Ghana became a kingdom in West
  Africa
• Its rulers grew rich by taxing goods that traders
  carried through the territory
• Salt gold were the most important trade items
• Only kings could own gold nuggets
• Ghanas king acted as a
• Religious leader
• Chief judge
• Military leader

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Empire of Ghana

• By 1000 A.D., Ghanas rulers had converted to
  Islam
• Previously, Ghana kings had been animists
• Animism belief that spirits living in animals,
  plants natural forces played an important role
  in daily life
• Most of the population remained animists
• In 1076 Ghana empire collapsed due to the
  disruption of trade

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Empire of Mali

• 1235, the Mali Empire developed
• Like Ghana, the people of Mali depended on trade
  (specifically gold, salt, and slaves).
• Located just to the south/east of where Mali had
  been
• 1st great leader of Mali was Sundiata
• Emperors called mansa
• Career began w/ a series of military victories
• Ushered in a long period of peace/prosperity
• Died in 1255

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Sundiata
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Empire of Mali

• After Sundiatas death, many of Malis leaders
  became Muslim
• Most famous Muslim leader was Mansa Musa
• Doubled the size of the Mali Empire
• Went on hajj in 1324
• Brought LOTS of gold to Egypt along the way
• Caused severe inflation for 10 years
• Built mosques in Timbuktu
• Made it an important religious/trading center

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Hyper Inflation
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Empire of Songhai

• Malis empire declined in the 1400s, and the
  Songhai arose shortly after
• Famous leaders
• Sunni Ali
• Expanded empire
• Conquered Timbuktu
• Askia Muhammad (Sunni Alis son)
• Set up tax system
• Chose able officials
• 1591, Moroccans defeated Songhai using
  guns/cannons

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Songhai Empire
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Songhai Warriors