The Empire of Ghana

1
The Empire of Ghana
2
What is a vegetation zone?

• A region that has certain types of plants.
• Soil and climate determine what plants will grow
  in a vegetation zone.

3
What are the three vegetation zones in West
Africa?

• Desert the Sahara is the largest desert in the
  world. It is located in north Africa. It has a
  dry climate with little rain.
• Savannah grassland in a tropical region. It is
  flat, grassy with scattered trees.
• Forest dense vegetation and heavy rainfall.

4
What river formed part of the southern border of
Ghanas empire?

• The Niger River!

5
Describe the natural resources of each of the
three vegetation zones in West Africa

• Sahara (desert) SALT!
• Savannah (grassland) crops, cattle
• Forests GOLD!

6
What two key commodities led to a trans-Sahara
trade?

• Salt and Gold!
• Food and slaves (?)

7
What difficulties might people encounter as they
moved goods across the desert?

• Heat
• Thirst
• Sandstorms
• Dangerous animals
• bandits

8
How did the region between the Sahara and the
forests of southern West Africa come to be known
as Ghana?

• ghana was what the people in the area called
  their king. Eventually the region itself was
  known as Ghana.

9
Why did the people of Ghana keep the source of
gold a secret?

• They could limit the amount of gold traded.
• Making gold scarce increased its value!

10
How did Ghanas king help the empire become
wealthy and powerful?

• He taxed traders and used the money to conquer
  surrounding lands!

11
Describe the Berbers

• Came from North Africa
• Raised camels
• Practiced Islam
• Often spoke Arabic
• Established the trade routes to West Africa!

12
Besides goods, what can trade bring to a region?

• Written language
• Religion
• New ideas

13
How did trade affect West Africas religion and
culture?

• Arab traders introduced Islam and written
  language to Ghana.
• Islamic values probably became more important in
  their culture.

14
What advantage did Muslims have that helped them
gain influence in Ghana?

• They had knowledge of a written language!

15
How did Islamic ethics gain influence in Ghana?

• Much of the upper class converted to Islam.
• These people were often involved in trade and
  government.
• They often learned Arabic in order to study the
  Quran, so the Islamic values of what is right
  and wrong gained influence.

16
Why do you suppose that common people were less
likely to convert to Islam?

• Unlike the upper classes, the common people were
  less likely to be involved in trade or
  government.
• People living outside the cities may not have had
  much contact with Islamic ideas.

17
Who were the Almoravids and why did they declare
war on Ghana?

• They were from North Africa and were camel
  herders.
• They envied the wealth of Ghana.
• They wanted other Muslims to follow their
  particular interpretation of Islam.

18
What led to Ghanas decline?

• Almoravids attacked Ghana and the war weakened
  Ghanas trade network.

19
End of Lesson 2