Barter
What is barter?
This is the direct exchange of goods and services without using money
Name one item from the forest zone that was traded.
ivory
What desert did traders cross in trade?
sahara desert
What is scarcity?
When there is not enough of a resource or product
What empire grew rich from controlling trade?
Ghana
Why was barter used in early African civilizations?
Because they didn’t have a money system yet
What precious metal was mined in West Africa?
gold
What animal helped transport goods across the desert?
camel
What happens to the price of something when it’s scarce?
goes up
How did trade affect cities like Timbuktu?
it made them wealthy
Give an example of a barter trade between two African communities.
One community trades salt for gold with another.
What product was often traded for gold?
salt
Name a major trade city in Mali.
Timbuktu
How did scarcity of salt affect trade?
it made salt more valuable
What was the impact of trade on African culture?
it led to cultural exchange
Name one challenge of the barter system.
It can be hard to find someone who wants what you have and has what you need.
What was kola nut used for in trade?
As a flavoring and medicine
What role did the Niger River play in trade?
for transportation
What is supply and demand?
The idea that price is based on how much of something there is and how much people want it.
How did leaders use wealth from trade?
To build armies and cities and also support education and religion.
How did the invention of money change trade in Africa?
It made trade easier and more efficient by giving everything a set value
Why was salt so valuable in ancient Africa?
It preserved food
How did trade routes help spread ideas and religion?
Traders shared beliefs and passed along culture.
Give an example of how supply and demand affected trade in ancient Africa.
Salt was scarce in West Africa but it was really valuable so people traded gold for it.
Name one way trade connected Africa to the rest of the world.
African goods were traded with the Middle East.