Ghana 7.4.1 The Big Idea The rulers of Ghana built an empire by controlling the salt and gold trade.

Ghana Main Idea 1: Ghana controlled trade and became wealthy.

Ghana Ghana began when groups of farmers banded together. Ghana became a powerful state only when it gained control of valuable trade routes, especially the gold and salt trade. gold salt slabs

Ghana Thank you come again The exchange of gold and salt followed a process called silent barter. This is a process in which people exchange goods without ever contacting each other directly because they do not understand each others language.

Ghana Ghana’s rulers gained power and wealth, and the military grew in strength, too.

The Empire of Ghana Main Idea 2: Through its control of trade, Ghana built an empire.

The Empire of Ghana The people of Ghana & the small neighboring tribes that Ghana controlled had to pay taxes. Ghana also had rich gold mines.

The Empire of Ghana Ghana protected traders with its army. Traders were not afraid to travel to Ghana. A lot of traders passed through Ghana to get the gold and other resources. Ghana made money by forcing traders to pay taxes.

The Empire of Ghana Ghana’s kings used their great wealth to build a powerful army & conquered many of their neighbors, especially ones that had centers of trade. The empire of Ghana reached its peak under a ruler named Tunka Manin.

The Empire of Ghana To keep order in the empire, conquered kings were allowed to keep much of their power. Those conquered kings acted as governors of their territories. Yesssss! Ghana armies conquered neighboring West African Tribes like you see here

Ghana’s Decline Main Idea 3: Ghana’s decline was caused by attacking invaders, overgrazing, and the loss of trade.

Ghana’s Decline Invasion A Muslim group called the Almoravids cut off many trade routes. Because of the Almoravids, Ghana eventually lost support of its empire. Almoravids

Ghana’s Decline

Ghana’s Decline Overgrazing When the Almoravids moved in, they brought herds of animals with them. These animals ate all the grass, leaving the land worthless for farming.

Ghana’s Decline

Ghana’s Decline Internal rebellion Who’s your daddy! Internal rebellion The people that Ghana had conquered eventually rose up in rebellion and overthrew the Ghana empire.

1. A process in which people exchange goods without being able to talk to each other. A. Nonverbal sale Verbal barter Silent barter Ebarter E. I don’t know

2. Which statement is not true? Ghana became rich by taxing traded items. Ghana allowed conquered kings to keep some of their powers. Ghana controlled rich salt mines in their region. Ghana protected traders with their army. E. I don’t know

3. The Empire of Ghana became rich because of its mighty army. A. True B. False - It became rich because it controlled the trade routes.

4. All of the following led to the fall of Ghana, EXCEPT…. A. Invasion from the Almoravids B. Trade routes became useless and not used. Internal rebellion by conquered tribes Overgrazing left land worthless E. I don’t know