Intro to Africa, 1400-1700
Jared Peet
Warm Up
• Complete the Pre-Assessment on your desk.
– This is not for a grade
– You have 20 minutes to complete this activity.
• IF YOU FINISH EARLY:
– Raise your hand
– I will give you an article on Nelson Mandela to
read and annotate
Objectives
• Explain how geography impacted the
economies of West Africa
• Explain how trade changed African societies
before European contact
Unit Question
• How did African societies change as a result of
contact with Europeans between 1400-1700?
• Goal: Write an essay on this question before
Winter Break.
Nelson Mandela
• “The greatest glory in
living lies not in never
falling, but in rising
every time we fall.” –
Nelson Mandela
– Growth Mindset!
The Geography of Africa
African Resources Exploration
• Using your map and resources list, answer the
worksheet questions.
Class Debrief
• What are the most common resources in West
Africa?
• How do you think this might affect the
economies of societies in West Africa?
Major West African Civilizations
• Ghana Empire (830-1235 CE)
• Mali Empire (1235-1600 CE)
• Songhay Empire (1340-1591 CE)
Ghana Empire
• 830-1235 CE
• Southeastern Mauritania
and western Mali
• Domesticated camels before
arrival of Arabs/Islam
• Traded gold, salt and ivory
with North Africa, Middle
East and Europe for
manufactured goods
Mali Empire
• 1235-1600 CE
• Known for great wealth
(gold)
– Islam/Traditional Religion
– Mansa Musa I (1312-1337 CE)
– hajj in 1324
• Larger than any European
empire
• Accounted for ½ world’s gold
• Traded: gold, salt, copper
• Used and traded slaves
Songhay Empire
• 1340-1591 CE
• Trade: Gold
• One of the largest Islamic
empires ever
• Mohammed Askia the Great: hajj
to Mecca went with an
overwhelming amount of gold.
– Lavish gifts to impress the people
of Mecca with the wealth of the
Songhay.
– Recruited Muslim scholars from
Egypt and Morocco to teach at the
Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu as
well as setting up many other
learning centers throughout his
empire.
– Among his great accomplishments
was an interest in astronomical
knowledge which led to a
flourishing of astronomers and
observatories in the capital
Class Brainstorm
• What changed in West African societies
because of trade?
• What resource did West Africa have that was
desirable around the world?
3-2-1 Exit Ticket
• Write the THREE West African empires
• Write TWO things you learned today
• Write ONE question you have about our unit
Homework
• Read the document in the Topic 5, Class 1
folder: “Saharan Trade between Europe and
Africa Reading”