2. Background
Trade brought riches to
societies that would
later rise into
civilizations.
3. Fun Fact: Silent Barter
Process in which people
exchange goods without
contacting each other
directly.
The two reasons why
silent barter was used
might be because of:
1. The trader(s) might not
be able to speak the
other's language.
2. This was used to
protect the secrets of
where the valuable gold
and salt came from.
4. West Africa Emerges
The Soninke, a group of
farmers, that lived along the
Niger River banded
together to fight off
invaders.
They became the people of
Ghana, and they grew
stronger.
With iron tools, they were
able to produce plenty of
food.
Their population increased
Towns and villages sprang
up.
5. Ghana: Land of Gold
Located between the
Sahara and forests
that spread south.
They were in an
strategic position on
trades routes.
Its power was based
on the control of gold
and salt trade.
7. A Prosperous Empire
The capital was Koumbi Saleh.
By 800 the empire was held together by its riches and
because it controlled trade.
They built armies armed with iron weapons.
These armies kept trade routes safe.
Iron weapons were superior than their neighbor’s.
8. No nuggets!
The kings didn’t allow their subject to own gold
nuggets
They could only use gold dust as currency.
What did this ensure?
9. Expansion
Powerful army
Conquered leaders were left in place to act as
governors.
Taxes were levied on traders.
The empire’s height came under Tunka
Manin´s leadership.
10. Tunka Manin - 1068
All we know from him
comes from the writings
of a muslim geographer
who wrote about
Ghana.
He was the nephew of
a previous king named
Basi
Kingship and property
was inherited by
nephews instead of
sons.
11. Decline
The empire collapsed by the mid 1200s:
Invasion: North African Muslims called the
Almoravids.
Overgrazing: The Almoravids brought herds of
animals with them. This left the soil exposed to
hot desert winds.
Internal Rebellion: Rebels from a conquered
country rose in rebellion and took over. They were
unable to hold the empire together.
12. Quick Exercise: The Silent
Barter
Grab a piece of paper, and write down
something you own and would like to trade it
off.
Fold it and give it to your classmate next to
you. He will give you one in return.
Unfold his piece of paper and see if its worth
trading both items, between the two of you.
A simple “yes” or “no” will suffice.
13. Chapter Review:
Explain: How did the silent barter system
work?
Identify: What were two major resources in
Ghana?
Evaluate: Do you think trade was safer when
Ghana was in control?
Analyze: How did Ghana’s rulers acquire
huge amounts of gold?
Analyze: How did overgrazing help cause the
fall of Ghana?
Recall: How did Ghana’s rulers raise money?
14. Bibliography
Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History.
(P. Hall, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey, US: Pearson Education INC.
Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World
History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.).
(H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company.
Images taken from Google.
