Ghana, Mali, and Songhai from 300 to 1600

1
Ghana, Mali, and Songhaifrom 300 to 1600

• Trade in West Africa

2
Ghana Empire

• This empire was most powerful during the 11th
  century
• The Ghana empire controlled trade in West Africa
• They became rich trading gold and salt

3
Mali

• Mali came after Ghana in the 14th century during
  the 1300s.
• Mali was located south of Ghana and had lands
  that were more fertile.
• Mali was closer to the Niger river. This is
  where much of the trading was done and why Mali
  was more powerful than Ghana

4
Mali (Continued)

• It is said that the greatest Malian leader, Mansa
  Musa, traveling from Timbuktu would take with him
  60,000 people. This included 500 slaves, each
  carrying a 4 pound bar of gold.
• This empire traded in salt, gold, copper, spices,
  ivory, ostrich feathers, and slaves.
• This empire was destroyed by religious wars.

5
The Slave Trade

• Slaves in Africa were not treated the same as
  they were in the Americas.
• Slaves in Africa could buy their freedom.
• Usually, after a battle, the losing army would be
  enslaved.
• They were used in agriculture.

6
Why African slaves in North America?

• The Europeans first tried to enslave the Native
  Americans.
• However, the Native Americans knew the land and
  the Europeans did not. They often escaped.
• Also, many Native Americans were killed by
  disease.
• Europeans brought the first African slaves to
  North America. They were used to the climate and
  disease and so the slave trade increased.
• Slaves were bought from African traders or taken
  after battle.

7
Songhai

• The Songhai were a group that broke away from the
  Malian empire.
• This empire was most powerful during the 16th
  century.
• This empire was led by Sonni Ali. He was a
  warrior who killed anyone who got in his way. He
  starved cities so they would surrender.

8
Songhai (continued)

• Trade was successful because all of the military
  stationed along the trade routes
• At one time, salt was worth as much as gold!
• Religion was extremely important!
• At its end, the Songhai empire was experiencing a
  civil war. The ruler in Morocco invaded and
  destroyed the control of Songhai.

9
Portugal and West Africa

• While the rest of Europe was weak from the Black
  Plague, Portugal was strong.
• Portugal explored and traded with West Africa in
  the 15th and 17th centuries (1400-1600).
• Portugal was looking for a faster way to south
  Asia. They found the powerful empires of West
  Africa though.
• They traded metal and cloth for gold, ivory,
  salt, pepper, and slaves.
• Trade in West Africa made the Europeans
  interested in what the rest of the world had to
  offer.