POWER AGE ACADEMY

Motto: DOMINION AND EXCELLENCE

LESSON NOTE
EDUCATOR’S NAME:

SUBJECT: HISTORY

CLASS: BASIC 8 / GRADE 8 / J.S.S. 2

TERM: THIRD TERM ( 3RD TERM )

SESSION: 2023 – ACADEMIC – SESSION

 SUBJECT: HISTORY CLASS: JSS 2
SCHEME OF WORK 3RD TERM LESSON NOTE

WEEKS TOPICS Learning Objectives: By the end of the lessons, students should
be able to:
1 Revision of first and Revision of first and second term
second term’s work /
Welcome Test
2 EMPIRE AND KINGDOMS IN Describe the Empire , Emperor, Empress, features of an Empire
3 PRE-COLONIAL WESTERN Give reasons for the rise of empires and kingdoms in western
SUDAN AND WEST AFRICA Sudan and West Africa
Explain factors that led to the collapse, fall , decline of empires
and kingdoms in Sudan and West Africa
4 OLD-GHANA EMPIRE IN Describe location of Old Ghana empire in western Sudan and
5 WESTERN SUDAN AND western Africa Explain the origins, reasons for the rise , socio-
WEST AFRICA political and economic structure capital. Highlight the reasons for
the collapse of old Ghana Empire, and impacts on Nigeria and
West Africa
6 MALI EMPIRE IN WESTERN Locate Mali empire on the map of Africa. Relate origin, reasons,
SUDAN AND WEST AFRICA capital rulers, socio-political and economic organization
Identifying factors that led to the fall, collapse of Mali Empire
7 Mid Term Test Mid-term break / Open day
8 SONGHAI EMPIRE
IN Describe the location on the map of Africa
9 Examine the origin, reasons, for the rise , success of charismatic
WESTERN SUDAN AND
rulers i.e. Sonni Ali and Askia Muhammed the great
WEST AFRICA The socio-political and economic structure in the Songhai empire
western Africa
10 FACTORS FOR THE Mention great empires and kingdom in western Sudan and West
11 Africa in the pre-colonial era
DEVELOPMENT OF
Explain the factors that led to the decline
GREAT EMPIRES IN Examine the impacts of the collapse of the empires of West
WESTERN SUDAN AND Africa
WEST AFRICA
12 Revision Revisions and Final Examination
12-13 Revision Revisions and Final Examination
REFERENCES
UNIFIED SCHEME OF WORK

WEEK: 2 & 3 DAY: SUBJECT:

DATE: TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC: PERIODS: DURATIONS:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
1. Describe the Empire , Emperor, Empress, features of an Empire
2. Give reasons for the rise of empires and kingdoms in western Sudan and West Africa
3. Explain factors that led to the collapse, fall , decline of empires and kingdoms in Sudan and West
Africa

KEY VOCABULARY WORDS:

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Wall charts, Pictures, Related Online Video, Flash Cards
CONTENT: EMPIRES AND KINGDOMS IN PRE-COLONIAL WESTERN SUDAN AND WEST AFRICA

An emperor is like a king: a person with absolute power over a country. An empress is therefore
like a queen. Also, just as a queen is the wife of a king, an empress might be the wife of an emperor,
meaning she's not the ruler of the country but just married to the ruler.

The male ruler of an empire is often called an emperor, while the female ruler of an empire is often
called an empress. However, sometimes other titles are used. King and queen, of course, are some of
the most common, but there are others.

What is the concept of empire emperor and Empress?

The male ruler of an empire is often called an emperor, while the female ruler of an empire is often
called an empress.

FEATURES OF AN EMPIRE
A few characteristics that define an empire include:
1. expansive territory
2. Areas under control
3. Military power
4. Ruling class
5. Wealth, and
6. Commerce.

REASONS FOR THE RISE AND FALL OF EMPIRES AND KINGDOMS IN WESTERN SUDAN AND
WEST AFRICA
1. Although a rich diversity of goods were exchanged, all the empires of the western Sudan were primarily
based upon control of the lucrative trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt.
2. The economic balance between agricultural Ghana and the pastoral Ṣanhājah, and ultimately it
provoked a reaction. Like the North African Imazighen, the Ṣanhājah were already to some extent
Islamized, and they shortly found in a militant, puritanical version of Islam the means to eliminate their
differences and to unite in the movement known to history as the Almoravids. In the middle of the 11th
century they began to expand into the productive lands on either side of the western Sahara, and it
would seem that later in the century Ghana became dominated by them.
3. One important result of this domination, following as it did upon some centuries of trading contact by
Muslims, was that the ruling and merchant classes of the western Sudan became converted to Islam—
though in the case of the rulers the conversion was for many centuries not wholehearted. The
justification for a king’s claim to enforce his rule over his subjects, who remained pagan, was his
descent from the original ancestor who had first settled the land and, by accommodation with its deities
and spirits, had developed and controlled it for agriculture. If he were not to be rejected and replaced
as king by a rival member of its royal family, he had to continue to observe the ancestral and land cult
rites in which he was the principal figure.
4. The depredations of the Almoravids’ herds and their internecine quarrels must have undermined the
prosperity of agriculture in a marginal environment and would have accelerated the decay of Ghana.
More southerly Mande groups, many of which had formed satellite kingdoms of the Ghana empire,
began to act independently and to compete among themselves for primacy. Eventually about 1235, in
the time of a king called Sundiata, the Keita kings of Mali, in the well-watered and gold-bearing lands of
 the uppermost Niger valley, gained ascendancy and incorporated what was left of ancient Ghana into
their own considerably more extensive empire.

The Factors Responsible for the Rise of the Western Sudanese States

Western Sudan refers to the savannah belt of West Africa stretching from the Atlantic Coast in the west to
lake Chad in the east. States, which rose in this area, include Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Kanem-Bornu and
the Hausa state of Sokoto.

1. Linguistics

– Existence of core linguistic and ethnic groups in the areas of the state.

This played a major role in uniting the people behind a strong, centralized political leadership

Here come some examples.

–Soninke – Ghana.

– Mandingo – Mali

– Songhai – Songhai

– Kanuri – Kanem-Bornu

This brought about peace, unity and stability.

2. Political – one …

There were bureaucratic and highly respected monarchies.

The people obeyed their kings without question since they were regarded as divine. This ensured stability
and progress.

2. Political – two …

– Able and strong leadership

The kings ruled effectively and this led to the rise and growth of the Western Sudanese states.

– They established strong armies to expand and safeguard their kingdoms.

Examples of leaders of these hugely successful Western Sudanese states were: .

Askia the Great (Songhai)

Mansa Musa and Sundiata (Mali)

Idris Alaoma (Kanem- Bornu)

3. Economic

Trade
– Most of the Western Sudanese were middlemen in the Trans-Saharan Trade.

– This brought wealth and growth of cities and towns. E.g. Timbuktu, Jenne, Kumbi Saleh, Gao.

4. Geography

Favourable location

– The rise of the Western Sudanese also became possible since they were in the midst of abundant
natural resources.

– They became self-sufficient in food production and supply.

– They had mineral wealth as well.

Gold – Wangara

Salt – Taghaza

Copper – Tekedda

EVALUATION / ASSIGNMENT
1. Describe the Empire , Emperor, Empress, features of an Empire
2. Give reasons for the rise of empires and kingdoms in western Sudan and West Africa
3. Explain factors that led to the collapse, fall , decline of empires and kingdoms in Sudan and West
Africa
SUMMARY

Rise and Fall of the Sudanic Kingdoms

The fall of the Sudanic Kingdoms consisted of politics and misguided power. Both the Sanhadja
Confederation, and the Almoravid Empire were weakened by internecine warfare ( relating to slaughter or
carnage; bloody), and both succumbed (died) to further invasions from the Ghana Empire and the
Almohad Empire.

The rise in the Sudanic Kingdoms was because of many reasons including: solidarity (unity or agreement
of feeling or action, esp. among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group),
statehood organization, and trading. The slave trade was an important part of the rise.

Sudanic Kingdoms such as Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and Karem- Borno owed their power and wealth to
controlling the southern part of the trans-Saharan trade.

First, the Almoravids attacked and subdued (conquer) the Djodala, forcing them to acknowledge Islam.
Then the Almoravids succeeded in recreating the political unity of the Sanhadja Confederation and adding
to it a religious unity and purpose.

Ghana, the first of West African Sudanic kingdoms, included in its territory all of southeastern Mauritania
extending to Tagant. Ghana reached its apogee in the ninth and tenth centuries with the extension of its
rule over the Sanhadja Berbers. The Sudanic Kingdom controlled the southern terminus of the trans-
Saharan trade in gold, ivory, and salt.

WEEK: 4 & 5 DAY: SUBJECT:

DATE: TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC: PERIODS: DURATIONS:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
1. Describe location of Old Ghana empire in western Sudan and western Africa
2. Explain the origins, reasons for the rise , socio-political and economic structure capital
3. Highlight the reasons for the collapse of old Ghana Empire, and impacts on Nigeria and West Africa
KEY VOCABULARY WORDS:

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Wall charts, map showing Sudan and West Africa, Pictures, Related
Online Video, Flash Cards

CONTENT: OLD-GHANA EMPIRE IN WESTERN SUDAN AND WEST AFRICA

What was the history of the old Ghana Empire?

Ancient Ghana ruled from around 300 to 1100 CE. The empire first formed when a number of tribes of
the Soninke peoples were united under their first king, Dinga Cisse. The government of the empire
was a feudal government with local kings who paid tribute to the high king, but ruled their lands as they
saw fit.

What led to the rise of the old Ghana Empire?

The Ghana Empire grew rich from the trans-Sahara trade, helped by its control over the three major gold
fields to the south. Traders called Ghana “the Land of Gold,” and the kings of Ghana were sometimes
called “the Lords of the Gold.” This gold helped the Ghana Empire to flourish.

Ghana empire was one of the earliest known negro empires recorded by historians, it was first mention by
an Arab geographer, Al-fazari, in Ad773 in his book Al-masudi, where he referred to it as a land of gold.

According to Al-bakri an Arab traveler in his writing in AD 1067,reveals that the name; Ghana was the title
of the Soninke king called Auokar which means ;war chief,

It was not certain how and when Ghana was founded, but from Arab sources, particularly the Tariskh al
Sudan, it appears to have been founded by a Soninke dynasty between AD 300-400.

Early history of Ghana empire also revealed that it was situated on the grasslands North of the rivers
Senegal and Niger, its capital Kumbi Saleh is said to have ben founded by Kaya Maghan,who is credited
to have over thrown the immigrant minority and Negro indigenes in about AD700 and established purely
Soninke dynasty.

by AD1000,the sonnike kingdom had extended it territory, in the west to the river Senegal and south to
Bambuk town of Audoghast of the sahara desert, by the middle of the 11 th control over area covering most
of the modern states of Senegal,Mali and Territories of roughly 650,000 square kilometers.
FACTORS FOR THESE RISE OF GHANA EMPIRE

1. Geographical location
2. location around trade route
3. expansion factors
4. large army
5. good government

SOCIO POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF GHANA EMPIRE

In expressing the socio political structure of Ghana empire, is a description of how it was organized and
governed, These involved primarily describing the government at the centre, the provinces, the vassal
states and the army

1. The king
2. council of Advisers and ministers
3. provincial Governors
4. District chiefs
5. Trade
6. The Army

FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF GHANA EMPIRE

The decline and fall of Ghana Empire were internal and external

1. INTERNAL FACTORS
2. The size of the Empire
3. Political instability
4. The social and culture heterogeneity of the empire;

 EXTERNAL FACTORS;
 Increasing pressures and Attacks
 Revolts
 Invasion of Kumbi saleh

CLASSWORK

1. what were the factors responsible for the rise of Ghana empire
2. briefly describe the socio political structure of Ghana empire
3. What role did trade play in rise of Ghana empire
4. explain the factors for the decline and fall of Ghana empire

ASSIGNMENT

Explain Mali EMPIRE

Factors That Led To The Rise Of Ghana Empire.

The ancient Ghana Empire was the first of the Sudanic empires and a lot of factors
contributed to the rise of the Soninke people and they are:
(1). Geography and location: The geography of ancient Ghana played an important role in
the origin, growth and development of the empire. The geography of western African area
comprises three vegetation zones, which are: the Sahara (a desert in North Africa); the
savannah, also known as grassland, and it has varieties of animals and trees; while the
rainforest has large forest and plants. These three vegetation zones contributed to the
success of the empire.
(2). Faming and agriculture: The Soninke people were initially farmers who united to trade
and make crop exchange because of their surplus harvest. The land they occupied was
very fertile and good for agriculture. The success of their crop farming led to abundant
harvests, therefore the Soninke people delved into crop trade and thus expanded their
community of different clans into a full empire.
(3). Mineral resources: The growth and development of the ancient Ghana empire was
rapid because of the abundance of some natural resources such as gold and iron, found in
strategic locations in the empire. The rulers took advantage of their resources and used the
revenue generated from gold and iron to develop the empire.
(4). Trade: The Soninke people established a farm market that allowed other communities
to visit the land for trade. As neighbouring communities came to make purchases, the
region expanded and more people migrated to settle in the land.
(5). Availability of a strong army: The Soninke people had the advantage of a strong cavalry
army. The rulers were able to purchase horses from travelling Nomads who visited their
land. More so, the Soninke army had access to iron and most of their weapons were iron-
made such as spears, bow and arrow, etc. compared to their enemies' warriors who had
weapons made from wood and bones.
(6). People of the empire: The economic prosperity of the ancient Ghana empire brought
about the influx of traders, geographers and Islamic missionaries. Different people from all
over the world who visited and resided in the empire brought in experiences and ideas from
other lands
PRESENTATION
STEP I: The teacher revises the previous topic with the students.
STEP II: The teacher introduces the new topic to the students.
STEP III: The teacher explains the topic in details to the students.
STEP IV: The teacher evaluates the students and gives out the note.
EVALUATION: The teacher evaluates the students by giving them classwork and
assignment.
CLASSWORK:
Explain how the following vegetation zones favored the ancient Ghana empire:
(1). The Sahara: ________.
(2). The Savannah: _________.
(3). The rainforest: __________.
ASSIGNMENT:
(1). Who were the Almoravids and what impact did they have in the history of the ancient Ghana empire?
(2). State two benefits of having camel caravans in the ancient Ghana empire.
CONCLUSION: The teacher concludes the lesson by summarising the main points of
the topic to the students.

WEEK: 6 DAY: SUBJECT:

DATE: TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC: PERIODS: DURATIONS:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
1. Locate Mali empire on the map of Africa
2. Relate origin, reasons, capital rulers, socio-political and economic organization
3. Identifying factors that led to the fall, collapse of Mali Empire
KEY VOCABULARY WORDS:

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Wall charts, map of Mali empire, Pictures, Related Online Video, Flash
Cards

CONTENT: MALI EMPIRE IN WESTERN SUDAN AND WEST AFRICA

EARLY HISTORY OF MALI EMPIRE

The empire which came to be known as Mali originated from the little Malinke Kingdom called
Kangaba,Mali envolved from the unification of a number of small villages known as Dugu and ruled by
local chieftains called [Link] is likely that the fusion of the villages were motivated by the desire of the
people to present a united front against enemies and also to participate more in the trans-saharan trade

The early king of kangaba were not known to historians,however,according to one sheikh uthman,a
muslim scholar and writer, the first king of kangaba to be converted to islam in the middle of the 11 th
centure was Baramendana 9i.e, AD 1050] unlike Ghana,Mali became a muslim state from very early stage
of its existence as an empire.

FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF MALI EMPIRE

1. political factors for the rise of Mali empire

2. Geographical location
3. Good political environment
4. Strong successors to sundiata;; In addition to the political role played by sundiata to the rise of mali
empire were the caliber of kings that reigned after him, for examples ,kings such as Mansa Uli
[1255-1270],Mansa Musa [1312-1337],who continued the expansionist policy started by sundiata
and also made the empire to be known to the outside world.
5. Islamic religion factor

FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF MALI EMPIRE

1. INTERNAL FACTORS

1. overexpansion of Mali
2. weak rulers
3. inadequate communication

2. EXTERNAL FACTORS

Constant attack by enemies

CLASSWORK

1. State the factors that led to the rise of Mali Empire

2. Give reasons for the fall of Mali Empire

ASSIGNMENT
WRITE BRIEFLY ON SONGHAI EMPIRE

WEEK: 7 MID-TERM BREAK / MID-TERM TEST / OPEN DAY

WEEK: 8 & 9 DAY: SUBJECT:

DATE: TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC: PERIODS: DURATIONS:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
1. Describe the location on the map of Africa
2. Examine the origin, reasons, for the rise , success of charismatic rulers i.e. Sonni Ali and Askia
Muhammed the great
3. The socio-political and economic structure in the Songhai empire western Africa

KEY VOCABULARY WORDS:

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Wall charts, map of Africa, Pictures, Related Online Video, Flash Cards

CONTENT: SONGHAI EMPIRE IN WESTERN SUDAN AND WEST AFRICA

HISTORY OF SONGHAI EMPIRE

Before the people of Songhai settled in Gao ,it is believed that their original home was around Dendi and
Bassa,they later migrated to Gao from the above places when they discovered that Gao was an important
cross roads in west Africa

According to oral tradition,Kossi took Gao from the sorko and established the Songhai empire, Also many
historians had the opinion that Songhai had its organization beginning in the region of Dendi and that her
civilization as it was in Ghana and Mali Empires

FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF SONGHAI EMPIRE

1. Geographical factor
2. political factors
3. military prowess
4. religious factors
5. Economic factor

FACTORS FOR THE FALL OF SONGHAI EMPIRE

1. The communication system was poor and inadequate, also there were no natural frontiers to protect
the empire
2. Ethnic diversity,religious differences and levels of civilization combined to make it difficult for the em
pire to sustain its unity.
3. The situation in Songhai became worst after the death of Askia Mohammed I in 1528 when the
empire lost its stability owing to the rebellion put forward by the eldest son Askia.
4. lack of good leadership, ineffective central government and the revolts by vassal states led to the
weakness of Songhai army
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ASKIA MOHAMMED 1 TO THE GREATNESS OF SONGHAI

Askia Muhammad strengthened his empire and made it the largest empire in West Africa's history.
At its peak under his reign, the Songhai Empire encompassed the Hausa states as far as Kano (in
present-day Northern Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Songhai empire in the
east.

Songhai's power and prosperity grew further from its participation in the trans-Saharan trade. Gold, salt,
ivory, hides, copper, and other goods were exchanged between Berber traders from North Africa and
producers from the West African forests.

Askia Muhammad also introduced policies that increased trade with Europe and Asia, standardized
weights, measures, and currency; replaced native Songhay administrators with Arab Muslims in an
attempt to Islamicize society, and encouraged learning and literacy.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF KING SUNNY ALI OF SONGHAI

Around 1468, King Sunni Ali (aka Sonni Ali Ber) changed the traditional Songhai tactic of small and
sporadic raids on its enemies to a more sustained campaign of permanent territorial expansion.

Songhai Empire in 1500. Songhai rulers took advantage of the weakened Mali Empire to expanded
Songhai rule. Under the rule of Sonni Ali, the Songhai surpassed the Malian Empire in area, wealth, and
power, absorbing vast areas of the Mali Empire and reaching its greatest extent.

His conquest of the leading Sudanese trading cities established the basis for Songhai's future
prosperity and expansion. When Sonni ʿAlī ascended the Songhai throne about 1464, the kingdom
comprised only a small area in the upper Niger valley around its capital, the prosperous trading city of
Gao.

CLASSWORK

1. Briefly explain the early history of Songhai before the reign of Sonni Ali
2. Mention three factors that led to the rise of Songhai Empire

ASSIGNMENT

State the contribution of Askia Mohammed 1 to the greatness of Songhai

WEEK: 10 & 11 DAY: SUBJECT:
DATE: TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC: PERIODS: DURATIONS:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
1. Mention great empires and kingdom in western Sudan and West Africa in the pre-colonial era
2. Explain the factors that led to the decline
3. Examine the impacts of the collapse of the empires of West Africa

KEY VOCABULARY WORDS:

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Wall charts, Pictures, Related Online Video, Flash Cards

CONTENT: FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREAT EMPIRES IN WESTERN SUDAN AND
WEST AFRICA

Three celebrated empires flourished in the Western Sudan between the 8th and 17th centuries: Ghana (c.
8th-11th century), Mali (c. 13th-16th century), and Songhai (c. 15th-17th century).

The pre-colonial period in West Africa was dominated by three empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
Discover how the trans-Saharan gold trade helped these empires rise to power.

The medieval empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that controlled the western Sudan had no fixed
geopolitical boundaries or singular ethnic or national identities.

The Ghana empire. While there were many city-states and small kingdoms in West Africa for centuries,
the Ghana Empire was the first major agrarian empire to arise in the region.

The Songhai Empire (also transliterated as Songhay) was a state located in the western part of the Sahel
during the 15th and 16th centuries. At its peak, it was one of the largest African empires in history.
Geography
The geographic region known as the Sudan extends across much of the continent south of the Sahara.
The Western Sudan covers a vast territory from Senegal through Chad that ranges from areas of desert to
grassland to wooded savanna.

History
Three celebrated empires flourished in the Western Sudan between the 8th and 17th centuries: Ghana (c.
8th-11th century), Mali (c. 13th-16th century), and Songhai (c. 15th-17th century). Their great power came
from the trans-Saharan trade and the export of gold, ivory, kola nuts, and slaves. Trade was also the
principal means for the introduction and spread of Islam.

The inland delta region of the Niger River in Mali is an area of great importance in African art history. Terra
cotta figures of humans and animals, as well as cast copper alloy objects, have been found throughout this
region. These archaeological objects have been dated from the 8th to the 17th century and are important
for the reconstruction of history and art history in West Africa.

Artists
In the Western Sudan, artists often belong to hereditary castes and marry within their own groups. Among
the Bamana of Mali, for example, male blacksmiths and woodcarvers constitute a professional caste. They
are commissioned by political and initiation associations to create ritual objects.

Art and style

Masks, which often combine human and animal traits, or traits from different animals, are used in
agricultural, funerary, or entertainment performances. Figures may combine commemorative, ancestral,
and protective functions.

Sculpture from the Western Sudan tends to be angular and elongated, and anatomical details are often
minimally suggested. Surfaces are matte or encrusted from repeated libations. Brilliant pigments are
frequently applied, particularly to masks and headdresses, but they fade with time.

THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE DECLINE OF GREAT EMPIRES

Several factors, such as

1. Weak leadership
2. Foreign invasions, and
3. Rebellions within the tributary states,
Led to the decline of Mali after Mansa Musa's death. The empire got increasingly smaller through the
early fifteenth century.

With the gradual abolition of slavery in the European colonial empires during the 19th century, slave trade
again became less lucrative and the West African empires entered a period of decline, and mostly
collapsed by the end of the 19th century.
The Factors Responsible for the Rise of the Western Sudanese...

 Linguistics. – Existence of core linguistic and ethnic groups in the areas of the state. ...
 Political – one … There were bureaucratic and highly respected monarchies. ...
 Political – two … – Able and strong leadership. ...
 Economic. Trade. ...
 Geography.

Some of the broad factors that historians use to help explain imperial collapse are:

 Economic issues.
  Social and cultural issues.
 Environmental issues.
 Political issues.

The fall of the Sudanic Kingdoms consisted of politics and misguided power. Both the Sanhadja
Confederation, and the Almoravid Empire were weakened by internecine warfare ( relating to slaughter or
carnage; bloody), and both succumbed (died) to further invasions from the Ghana Empire and the
Almohad Empire.

WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF WEST AFRICAN EMPIRES ON MODERN AFRICAN ECONOMIES?
This led to further economic growth in the region. The success of the West African empires in promoting
trade brought new people into the region and its economy. Increasing numbers of Muslims traveled to Mali
and Songhai along the trans-Saharan network.

Ghana's rulers gained incredible wealth from trade, taxes on traders and on the people of Ghana, and their
own personal stores of gold. They used their wealth to build an army and an empire. Extensive trade
routes brought the people of Ghana into contact with people of many different cultures and beliefs.

How did West African empires impact European trade? African people and African goods played an
important role in arousing European interest in world resources. The Portuguese carried goods from
Europe to West African empires, trading metals, cloth, and other manufactured goods for gold.

The policies of colonialism forced the demise of African industry and created a reliance on imported
goods from Europe. Had native industry been encouraged and cultivated by the colonizing powers, Africa
would probably be in a much better economic and technological position today.

WEEK: 12 REVISIONS

WEEK: 13 EXAMINATION