Kingdoms of Africa:
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai
Ms. Hunt
Unit 3
RMS 2011- 2012
Agenda: Tuesday, October
2011
th
25 ,
• OBJ: To analyze how the ancient societies of
Africa influenced the development of the
powerful kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai
by creating a diamond foldable for each
kingdom.
• 1. Journal
• 2. Notes- Kingdoms of Africa
• 3. Empires of the World- Diamond Foldable
• HW: Review notes for 10 minutes
– Have Diamond Foldable EVERDAY in class!!!!!!!!!
Journal: Tuesday, October
2011
th
25 ,
• From your knowledge of African
geography, what means of travel do you
think African Empires used to create
economies?
• Also, what types of resources do you think
were available for the people of Africa to
use for their economy and personal use?
Kingdom of Ghana
• Western Africa, located on the Senegal River
– Emerged in 500 A.D.
• 1st Great Traders of West Africa
– Gold and Salt trade
• Farming communities throughout nation
• Strong rulers, no laws to govern with
– Rulers acted as religious leader, judge, and military
commander as well
• Well trained army to protect Kingdom
• Vast wealth- resources of gold, silver, and iron
ore
Ghana Continued
• Traded gold and salt but also cloth and weapons
• Berbers- traders whom carried the products
across the desert
– Camels used
– About 3 miles per hours, about 60 days to reach
destination
• Spread of Islamic ideas through trade
– Literacy grew- study of the Qu’ran
Empire of Ghana
• King collected taxes on all goods traded
– Usually took tax payments as gold or salt blocks
• King controlled/ owned all gold
– Preventing it from losing its value you at market
– Type of economy- Government Controlled!
• Elaborate dress for the wealthy
• 800 A.D.- reached empire status
– Smaller rulers left in place over territories
• Like a bureaucracy
– Independent rulers pay tax = freedom of state
End of Ghana
• Lived in luxury for hundreds of years
• Weakened by war
• Collapsed in the 1200’s
– Invasion
Kingdom of Mali
•
•
•
•
•
12th Century
Defeated Ghana, captured capital 1240
Extended from Atlantic Coast to Timbuktu
Wealth came from gold and salt trade
Each village had its own ruler
– Ruler governed and sent money to the king of
Mali
Mansa
• Meaning “ruler”
• Major Ruler- Sundiata
– provided wealth and power to empire
– re-organized government
– Capital- Niani
• moved government westward provided more
trading posts
Mansa Musa
• Powerful king, 1312- 1337
• Extended kingdom (double
the size)
• Strong central govt.,
kingdom divided into
provinces
• Timbuktu- Islamic learning
center
– Pilgrimage to Mecca, wanted
education in Mali
– Built mosques and libraries
• Civil War, 1359 divided
Mali, beginning of the end
Kingdom of Songhai
• Niger River Valley
– Land very fertile (yearly flooding)
• Islamic kingdom
• Benefited from Muslim trade routes
• Askia the Great- expanded the kingdom, 1464
–
–
–
–
Cities- Timbuktu and Jenne
Created a professional army
Gave total control of trade routes to Songhai
Ruled for over 30 years
Songhai Continued
•
•
•
•
Muhammad Ture- Golden Age ruler
Expansion, peaceful and secure time
After his reign entered into a decline
By 1600- Songhai completely declined
– Lacked modern weapons
– Overthrown finally by North African armies
Empires of the World- Diamond
Foldable
• Each pair of students should have 3 sheets of paper, 1
set of scissors, and 1 glue stick.
• Follow Ms. Hunt’s folding directions
• Fill in, using your notes, all information that belongs in
the diamonds:
– Top- Name of Kingdom and illustration to represent their
achievements
– Left- Location (geography, description of territory)
– Right- Important people and places
– Bottom- Accomplishments
• Be sure to decorate each diamond so it relates to the
Empire it contains notes on.
• You have until the end of class to finish your diamond
foldable.