The document summarizes the major West African trading kingdoms that developed between 400-1500 AD along the trans-Saharan trade routes. It discusses the Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai which controlled the salt and gold trades between Northern Africa and the tropical forest regions. It also mentions the city-states of Ile-Ife and Benin in the forest region which grew wealthy through gold trading but were not Islamic. The empires rose to power by controlling the trade routes but later declined from invasions or internal weaknesses.

1. CHAPTER 2 : Civilizations of Africa SECTION 2 : West African Kingdoms

2. Trading Kingdoms of West Africa West African Kingdoms economies based on trade Trade based on two items: #1 = Salt: Used to flavor food and preserve meat Mined in the Sahara Desert

3. Sahara Salt

4. Trading Kingdoms of West Africa #2 = Gold Rare and valuable metal used for decoration Mined in the tropical forest region Continued

5. Trading Kingdoms of West Africa Continued Salt mines, gold mines, and cities connected through trading routes (Map page 51)

6. Trading Kingdoms of West Africa Continued Whoever could control these trading routes could charge taxes and become very rich

7. The Kingdom of Ghana 400 AD – People of Ghana were the first to take control of the trade routes (Map Page 35) 800 AD – Kingdom of Ghana was rich and powerful

8. Map of the Kingdom of Ghana

9. Capital of Ghana Empire was city of Kumbi Saleh 1200 AD – Ghana was invaded from the north by the Berbers and became weak The Kingdom of Ghana Continued

10. Map of the Kingdom of Ghana Berbers

11. The Kingdom of Mali 1230 AD - People of Mali take control of the trade routes (Map Page 35) Led by Sundiata Kingdom of Mali becomes rich and powerful

12. Map of the Kingdom of Mali

13. The Kingdom of Mali Continued 1312 AD – Mansa Musa becomes ruler of Mali Mansa Musa converts to Islam and then makes Islam the official religion of the empire

14. The Kingdom of Mali Continued 1324 AD – Mansa Musa goes on his pilgrimage to Mecca Takes with him: 60,000 people dressed in gold Thousands of horses and camels dressed in gold Thousands of slaves This impresses the other Muslim empires in the Middle East

15. Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage to Mecca

16. The Kingdom of Mali Continued Mansa Musa rules for 25 years When he dies, the empire begins to weaken Invaders attack and Kingdom of Mali falls

17. The Kingdom of Songhai 1400’s - People of Songhai take control of the trade routes next (Map page 35) Kingdom of Songhai grows large and wealthy

18. Map of the Kingdom of Songhai

19. The Kingdom of Songhai Continued Askia the Great was a powerful ruler 1468 AD – Songhai Empire conquered rich trading city of Tombouctou However, less than 100 years later, the Songhai Empire collapses from attack

20. The Three West African Trading Kingdoms

21. The Kingdoms of the Rain Forest Gold trade makes these kingdoms wealthy Were not Islamic Kingdoms People worshipped many gods

22. The City of Ile-Ife 1000 AD – Ile-Ife became a major trading and cultural center (Map page 35) Leaders were called Onis Very little is known about these people and their kingdom

23. The City of Ile-Ife

24. The Kingdom of Benin 1200 AD – Benin became a major trading and cultural center (Map page 35) Leaders were called Obas

25. The Kingdom of Benin