Vocabulary
Rise and Fall
Natural Wealth
Trade Routes
Golden Kingdom
100

What does “prosperity” mean?

Economic well-being.

100

What did the Soninke people do to protect themselves and start the kingdom of Ghana?

They banded together to fight off invaders.

100

What is the name of the grassland region with wet and dry seasons?

The savanna

100

What two natural resources were the backbone of the trans-Saharan trade?

gold and salt

100

What was the main reason the Kingdom of Ghana became wealthy and powerful?

The Gold-Salt trade

200

What is the meaning of “conquest”

Capturing something, especially in war

200

What is labor specialization, and how did it help Ghana grow

It’s the division of jobs and skills, which allowed people to focus on crafts and trade.)

200

What natural feature in West Africa was critical for transportation and trade?

The Niger River

200

Why were camels important for trade across the Sahara?

They could survive long journeys in the desert

200

What rule did Ghana’s kings create to control the gold market?

All gold nuggets belonged to the king

300

What is a “natural resource”?

A useful material found in the environment

300

What group invaded Ghana, leading to its decline?

The Almoravids.

300

How did ironworking technology improve life in West Africa?

Iron tools increased food production and strengthened weapons for conquest

300

What two major rivers supported trade in West Africa?

The Niger and Senegal Rivers.

300

What role did the Sisse clan play in Ghana’s society?

They formed the ruling class, including kings and officials.

400

What does “trans-Saharan” mean?

Across the Sahara.

400

Name two reasons Ghana eventually declined.

Overpopulation, food shortages, over-dependence on trade, or the Almoravids’ invasion

400

What is a plateau, and why is it significant in the African landscape?

A plateau is a large, mostly flat area that rises above the surrounding land; much of Africa’s interior is a plateau.

400

What critical trade role did Ghana’s rulers play to generate wealth?

They taxed goods entering and leaving the kingdom

400

How did Ghana’s rulers maintain high gold prices?

They kept large amounts of gold off the market

500

What is the definition of “savanna”?

A grassland with scattered trees, wet and dry seasons, and home to herds of animals

500

How did the Almoravids disrupt Ghana’s prosperity?

They disrupted trade routes, ruined farmland with grazing animals, weakening Ghana’s economy

500

Why was salt as valuable as gold in West Africa?

Salt is essential for health, and it was scarce in some regions

500

Name one way trade connected West Africa to the Mediterranean world.

Traders exchanged gold and ivory from West Africa for salt, horses, cloth, and books from North Africa

500

Why were religious traditions in Ghana unique during its golden age?

Ghana was known for its religious tolerance, welcoming Muslims and others.

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