Ghana p. 133-135

Ghana questions (pg. 130-135) How did Ghana begin? How was iron helpful? What were valuable trade goods? (2) Describe silent barter How did Ghana get wealthy? (3) What was used as the currency? How did they expand their empire? (2) Ghana reached its height under which leader? What key factors led to Ghana’s final fall? (3- with explanation)

I. Ghana’s Beginnings A. Farmers threatened by nomads banded together B. Use of iron 1. Tools for farming 2. weapons

II. Trade in Valuable Goods A. Salt 1. Preserve food &make it taste good 2. slabs used as money 3. part of diet B. Silent barter Salt traders left slabs of salt near gold fields & beat drum to show beginning & withdrew. Gold traders left what they thought was a “fair” amount of gold & withdrew. Salt traders took it to show agreement or renegotiated.

III. Growth of Trade A. Ghana controls trade 1. Brought them wealth 2. Taxed traders coming in and going out 3. gathered tribute B. What were additional sources of wealth? Wheat, sheep, cattle, honey. Leather & cloth, tassels made of golden thread C. New capital - Koumbi Selah

IV. Taxes and Gold Rulers charged taxes 1. on traders (going in and coming out). 2. Also on Ghana people B. Conquered people forced to pay tribute 1. All gold in Ghana was officially king’s prop. 2. Common people use gold dust as $

V. Expansion of the Empire A. Powerful army conquered neighbors B. Conquered kings became governors C. Empire reached height under Tunka Manin- very wealthy

VI. Ghana’s decline A. Invasion 1. Muslim Almoravids attacked in 1060. After 14 years, Almoravids win & destroy Koumbi Saleh 2. Cut off some trade. 3. Formed new trade with Muslim leaders

B. Overgrazing – 1. Almoravids brought herds who ate all grass & left exposed soil which blew away. 2. Land no longer able to produce food

C. Internal Rebellion 1. 1200 conquered people rebel & take over Ghana 2. But couldn’t keep control