Warm-up #13 How might the different climates in West Africa affect settlement patterns and the growth of towns?

Warm-up #13 How might the different climates in West Africa affect settlement patterns and the growth of towns? People would be more likely to settle and develop cities in hospitable regions like the savannah in West Africa. People would live in the savannah or forest near river valleys (like how Ghana was between the Niger and Senegal rivers) where they could go food.

Trade and African Empires Essential Question What role did trade have on the development of Ghana?

I. Ghana Between Sahara Desert and deep forests make perfect location for trade and could access the Niger and Senegal Rivers. Early farmers banded together for defense. Used iron tools for farming and weapons, herded cattle, and had surplus food. Ghana became a powerful trading empire in Africa. Location between the gold and salt gave control over trade. Took over neighboring tribes but let kings remain in power over local areas. Peak of empire was under Tunka Manin.

II. Economics A. Economy was built on controlling the trade of gold and salt.

Africa has: Gold

Africa wants: alt

Arabia has: alt

Arabia wants: Gold

B. Importance of Salt Survival Food – it flavors and preserves food. You need salt to live. We lose salt when we sweat. It’s hot in Africa. Therefore, they sweat and lose salt. Without it, they die. Food – it flavors and preserves food. It cannot be made anywhere. Need a place to allow salt water to evaporate and leave salt. The desert is the perfect place to do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi9bJhRZtKA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G24Yc8DijLM

Ponder How much salt do you think it would take to equal the value of a pound of gold?

Well, now how much would you pay? But wait, don’t’ answer yet, there’s more!

C. Salt for Gold Africans were willing to trade 1 pound of gold for 1 pound of salt. Arabians were willing to trade 1 pound of salt for 1 pound of gold. Source of gold was kept a secret to limit the supply and increase demand. Used Silent Barter (exchange goods without direct contact) to keep peace. Salt traders went to riverbank and left slabs of salt and beat a drum to tell the gold traders to trade. Then leave. Gold traders came by boat and left whatever amount of gold they thought was fair and took the salt. The left. If the salt traders were happy with the deal they beat the drum again, took the gold, and left. Gold minder would come take their salt. Kept trading until everyone was happy.

Excuse me, may I buy some cheap salt? Big Desert I will trade my valuable salt for your “worthless” gold! Gold

III. Influence of Trade Ghana’s rulers gained wealth and power from trade. Army took control of trade from the merchants and protects them from bandits. By 800 almost all trade routes between and south Africa go though Ghana. Accessed other goods like wheat, sheep, cattle, and honey. Capital Koumbi Saleh becomes great trading center. Taxed traders for goods when entering and leaving the empire. Conquered tribes paid tribute. Kings kept some of the gold from mines because all gold produced was officially property of the king. Only king could own gold nuggets everyone else could only have gold dust.

Ponder Look at the location of Ghana on the following map. Why do you think it was built there?

IV. Influence of Islamic Beliefs Which goods came ideas  as a result of trade: some of Ghana’s kings converted to Islam and combine it with traditional beliefs. Rulers hired Muslims to high up positions in government because they could read and write. Muslims also advised the Kings. Ghana’s upper class converted to Islam. Learned Arabic to study the Qur’an Muslim ethics influence government, law, and culture.

V. Ghana Falls 11th century Invasion - Muslim Almoravids declare war on Ghana Went to war because Almoravids wanted other Muslims to follow their interoperation of Islam. Were traders who envied the wealth of Ghana. Trade was weakened by the war and Ghana’s capital was seized in 1076. Overgrazing - Almoravids brought herd of animals that ate all the grass, causing soil erosion. Farmers had to search for new homes. Internal Rebellion – 1200 conquered people rebelled against Ghana making it weak to attack from other neighbors.