The African Connection West African Empires and their interactions with traders. SOL: US 1.4c

What was the importance of West African Empires?  Ancient African empires grew wealthy from 300 A.D to 1600 A.D. by controlling trade. They were: Ghana Mali Songhai  As each empire gained control it got more powerful and wealthier than the last.

Where were the empires located?  Ghana, Mali and Songhai were located in the western region of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, near the Niger River.  Europeans knew very little about these empires

4 Beyond Darkest Africa The Portuguese desired to find a sea route to India to put a stop to Arab “middlemen” who controlled overland routes, keeping prices of pepper and other spices high and by keeping supplies low. Glory, God or Gold?

The Portuguese made voyages of along West Africa  The more the Portuguese explored along the coast of Africa the more they found out about the African’s wealth.  The Portuguese began trading with the African empires.

 African people and African goods played an important role in European interest in world resources. How did West African empires impact European trade?

What was traded? The Portuguese traded goods from Europe metal cloth manufactured goods For African Natural Resources salt gold later, even Slaves

8 WEST AFRICAN EMPIRES GHANA Major gold deposits Desert climate Lay on trade routes USI.4C

MALI Controlled gold & salt trade Mansa Musa – great king Also controlled caravan routes Timbuktu – great city of learning & trade SONGHAI Muslim faith was brought to Central Africa 3 rd Great Kingdom

Important Terms  Impact—influence or the effect of something  Manufactured goods—man made goods

Ghana Clip Mali Clip Timbuktu Clip Songhai Clip