Show
How did geography influence the rise of the West African kingdoms of Ghana Mali and Songhai?o Geography was a major factor in the development of West African societies; waterways were critical for use to transport goods to be traded. o In addition to benefitting from the trade itself, rulers also implemented taxes on items brought into and taken out of their empires.
How did West Africa's geography affect its growth and development?Geography and Trade Geography was a major factor in the development of West African societies. Settled communities grew south of the Sahara, where the land permitted farming. Geography also influenced trading patterns. Communities traded with one another for items they could not produce locally.
What helped the West African empires of Ghana and Mali grow and become prosperous?Ghana's rulers gained incredible wealth from trade, taxes on traders and on the people of Ghana, and their own personal stores of gold. They used their wealth to build an army and an empire. Extensive trade routes brought the people of Ghana into contact with people of many different cultures and beliefs.
How did Ghana and Mali become powerful West African empires?Rapidly growing trade brought a lot of wealth and power to West Africa, just as the Ghana Empire was getting its start. The Ghana Empire, in particular, grew rich from the trans-Sahara trade. It certainly helped that the empire had control over the three major gold fields to the south of them.
|