1. Early African Civilizations
Section 2: The Empire of ghana

2. Ghana Controls Trade
Soninke – one of the earliest people in West Africa
Lived in small groups and farmed the land along the Niger River
Banded together for protection – beginning of Ghana
Learned how to work with iron and how to use iron tools for farming
Because Ghana’s farmers and herders could produce plenty of food, their population increased
Lies between the Sahara (north) and deep forests (south)
The regions tow main resources: gold and salt
Followed silent barter – process in which people exchange goods without contacting each other directly

3. As trade in gold and salt increased, Ghana’s rulers gained power
Took control of trade from North African merchants
Additional goods were added to the trade items: wheat from the north, and sheep, cattle, and honey from the south

4. Ghana builds an Empire
Nearly all trade between northern and southern Africa passed through Ghana
Ghana’s army kept trade routes safe
Every trader who entered Ghana had to pay a special tax on the goods he carried
Each trader had to pay another tax on the goods he took with him when he left
The people of Ghana had to pay taxes
Forced small neighboring tribes to pay tribute
The rulers of Ghana banned everyone else in Ghana from owning gold nuggets
Common people could only own gold dust, which they used as money
This ensured that the king was richer than his subjects

5. Part of Ghana’s wealth went to support its powerful army
To keep order, Ghana kings allowed conquered rulers to retain much of their power
These local rulers acted as governors of their territories, answering only to the king
The empire reached it peak under Tunka Manin

6. Ghana’s Decline
Three major factors contributed to the empire’s collapse
Invasion
Almoravids – group of North African Muslims, attacked Ghana
Fought for 14 years
They defeated Ghana, cutting off many trade routes and formed new trading partnerships with Muslim leaders
Overgrazing
Almoravids brought herds of animals
These animals ate all the grass in many pastures, leaving soil exposed to hot desert wind, leaving the soil worthless to farm

7. Internal Rebellion
The people of a country Ghana had conquered rose up in rebellion
Within a few years these rebels had taken over the entire empire of Ghana
Eventually, these rebels could not maintain order, were attacked and defeated, and the empire fell apart