Ghana
Who were the north African people who controlled the trade routes across the Sahara and West Africa before the rise of the three main West African trade empires?
The Berbers
Where was the Empire of Mali located?
Along the upper Niger River
What was Muhammad Ture, considered the greatest ruler in Songhai history, primarily known as?
Askia the Great
Name two reasons why the government of Athens might not be considered a true democracy OR two reasons why it might be.
Women could not vote, and there were restrictions on who could become a citizen OR every citizen voted on every issue (direct democracy) and participate in assemblies to discuss every issue
What is a joint-stock company?
A business in which a group of people invest together to share in the profits and losses, allowing each investor to take fewer risks.
Where was Ghana located?
Along the Niger River
What is the term for the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Muhammed?
Hajj
What were the two most powerful cities in Songhai?
Timbuktu and Gao
DAILY DOUBLE: What was feudalism?
Lords divided their lands among vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service. Vassals, in turn, might divide their land among lesser nobles, who were often knights. Their lands were worked by serfs/peasants in exchange for the right to live there.
DAILY TRIPLE: What does "Renaissance" mean, and to what was it referring? What brought it about?
"Renaissance" means "rebirth," and it was in reference to revitalized interest in the art, politics, and philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome. Scholars fleeing from the Turkish conquest brought the works with them to Italy.
DAILY DOUBLE: Describe Ghana's tax policy.
All traders who entered Ghana had to pay a tax on the goods they carried. They then had to pay a tax on any goods they took with them when they left.
What was the name of the Muslim king who ruled Mali for about 25 years, helping the empire reach the heights of its wealth, power, and influence?
Mansa Musa
How did Islam affect the achievements of the Mali and Songhai?
Both empires had Muslim rulers who promoted education, helped spread learning and Islam throughout the region, built Islamic mosques, and established strong central governments.
What was responsible for trade growing between Europe and Asia and the exposure of Europe to new products and ideas from the Middle East?
The Crusades
What was the most important invention of the Renaissance Period, and how did it lead to the spread of new ideas?
Johannes Gutenberg's printing press led to thousands of people being able to read and discuss the same books and ideas
How did the religion of Islam reach Ghana?
It was brought by Arab traders and invading Almoravids who attacked Ghana in an attempt to force Ghana's leaders to convert to Islam
Why did people from the surrounding areas begin to flock to Mali for trade more under the rule of Islamic leaders?
The stories of Mali's wealth, culture, and resources spread far and wide due to Mansa Musa's hajj and his sending of scholars to Morocco to learn how to teach Islam back home.
What led to the fall of Songhai?
Moroccans invaded from the north to take control of the Saharan salt mines; and trade patterns changed, diminishing Songhai's wealth
Why was the Roman legal system and citizenship valued so highly?
Roman laws helped protect the common people; all male citizens could vote or hold office; people were innocent until proven guilty
How did the studies of Renaissance scholars differ from the work done in the Middle Ages?
Renaissance scholars focused on human values and art, literature, science, and political thought, versus simply laboring and creating to glorify God.
How did Ghana's location lead to wealth and power?
To the north was the Sahara, a source of salt; Ghana itself had gold; trade and control of salt and gold made Ghana powerful and wealthy
What was the primary reasoning behind the expansion of the availability of educational opportunities in the Mali Empire?
To allow the subjects to read the Qu'ran and learn more about Islam
What was Askia the Great's most important achievement?
Answers could include: education because he set up mosques, schools, universities, and libraries; government because he established an effective and organized bureaucratic government to rule the region
How did the expansion of trade routes between Europe and the rest of the world lead to the downfall of feudalism?
The trade routes introduced the Black Death to Europe, decimating the peasant population and resulting in the survivors having more value/rights.
Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Alighieri, Johannes Gutenberg, Martin Luther, the Medici Family