Vocabulary
What does “prosperity” mean?
Economic well-being.
What did the Soninke people do to protect themselves and start the kingdom of Ghana?
They banded together to fight off invaders.
What is the name of the grassland region with wet and dry seasons?
The savanna
What two natural resources were the backbone of the trans-Saharan trade?
gold and salt
What was the main reason the Kingdom of Ghana became wealthy and powerful?
The Gold-Salt trade
What is the meaning of “conquest”
Capturing something, especially in war
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.)
What natural feature in West Africa was critical for transportation and trade?
The Niger River
Why were camels important for trade across the Sahara?
They could survive long journeys in the desert
What rule did Ghana’s kings create to control the gold market?
All gold nuggets belonged to the king
What is a “natural resource”?
A useful material found in the environment
What group invaded Ghana, leading to its decline?
The Almoravids.
How did ironworking technology improve life in West Africa?
Iron tools increased food production and strengthened weapons for conquest
What two major rivers supported trade in West Africa?
The Niger and Senegal Rivers.
What role did the Sisse clan play in Ghana’s society?
They formed the ruling class, including kings and officials.
What does “trans-Saharan” mean?
Across the Sahara.
Name two reasons Ghana eventually declined.
Overpopulation, food shortages, over-dependence on trade, or the Almoravids’ invasion
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.
What critical trade role did Ghana’s rulers play to generate wealth?
They taxed goods entering and leaving the kingdom
How did Ghana’s rulers maintain high gold prices?
They kept large amounts of gold off the market
What is the definition of “savanna”?
A grassland with scattered trees, wet and dry seasons, and home to herds of animals
How did the Almoravids disrupt Ghana’s prosperity?
They disrupted trade routes, ruined farmland with grazing animals, weakening Ghana’s economy
Why was salt as valuable as gold in West Africa?
Salt is essential for health, and it was scarce in some regions
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
Why were religious traditions in Ghana unique during its golden age?
Ghana was known for its religious tolerance, welcoming Muslims and others.