Ghana
750-1078 C.E.
This kingdom led the success of Eastern Africa for multiple reasons. First they had very sophisticated methods of government and politics. The emperor (for example Soninke) was at the top of the hierarchal system.Though he acted like an absolute ruler, he was still was assisted by a royal council that guided and judged his actions. The main form of government of Ghana was monarchy which lasted for majority of the empire's reign.
During the peak (late 800s) of the empire, the backbone of the economy depended on trade of gold. Al-Hamdani an Arab writer, wrote that Ghana had the richest gold mines on Earth, which is why they were known as the "Land of Gold" under Emperor Soninke's rule. Traders would exchange their gold for salt with other countries such as China and India. The salt was very beneficial because it not only added taste to the food, but it preserved it. By advancing trade the Ghana empire improved their technology. They advanced their use of iron and gold work as well as using Timbuktu which were called heavenly clay.
The success of trade couldn't have been possible if trade routes hadn't been made by the people, using the geography of the land to their benefit. It was located south of the Sahara desert and northwest of the Niger River (around modern day Mauritania and Mali.) Rivers played the most important role in the geography because that was the fastest way to carry goods at the time.
Since Ghana was led by an emperor stated earlier, he had the main say in the religion of the empire. By the 9th century, Islam was introduced to the king the Muslim merchants. He adopted it and spread its culture throughout the society. Every day the people had to follow Muslim law for example fasting and praying 5 times per. Builders used Timbuktu to not only create rooftops but mosques to worship in.
This kingdom led the success of Eastern Africa for multiple reasons. First they had very sophisticated methods of government and politics. The emperor (for example Soninke) was at the top of the hierarchal system.Though he acted like an absolute ruler, he was still was assisted by a royal council that guided and judged his actions. The main form of government of Ghana was monarchy which lasted for majority of the empire's reign.
During the peak (late 800s) of the empire, the backbone of the economy depended on trade of gold. Al-Hamdani an Arab writer, wrote that Ghana had the richest gold mines on Earth, which is why they were known as the "Land of Gold" under Emperor Soninke's rule. Traders would exchange their gold for salt with other countries such as China and India. The salt was very beneficial because it not only added taste to the food, but it preserved it. By advancing trade the Ghana empire improved their technology. They advanced their use of iron and gold work as well as using Timbuktu which were called heavenly clay.
The success of trade couldn't have been possible if trade routes hadn't been made by the people, using the geography of the land to their benefit. It was located south of the Sahara desert and northwest of the Niger River (around modern day Mauritania and Mali.) Rivers played the most important role in the geography because that was the fastest way to carry goods at the time.
Since Ghana was led by an emperor stated earlier, he had the main say in the religion of the empire. By the 9th century, Islam was introduced to the king the Muslim merchants. He adopted it and spread its culture throughout the society. Every day the people had to follow Muslim law for example fasting and praying 5 times per. Builders used Timbuktu to not only create rooftops but mosques to worship in.
Mali
1235-1360 C.E.
This kingdom rose in power after the fall of the Ghana Empire. The wealth of Africa came from its successful economy as it peaked in the 1350s .Their economy maintained power because of its access to important raw materials making Mali have important trade, wealth, culture and learning centers. They still used the sam political systems as the Ghana Empire by having emperors but ruled more about how the people would benefit. The peak was during the reign of Mansa Musa where he increased the empires size , that it became larger than any other European Empire at this time period.
It was located on the Niger river and expanded from the coast of Africa touching the Atlantic Ocean to modern day Niger. They used camels to get to the Mediterranean Sea to trade with other civilizations which helped its use of exchanged goods increase. They had good climate shifts which made it easier all around. Through technology the empire was able to manipulate iron in more ways especially thinking about how it would be used for horses. Traders traded metals (copper, iron, gold) with other countries not only to gain knowledge of other empires, but to improve their own (use of multiple languages).
The society was very good because due to the kindness of the people, they had some women in government which was a HUGE step in creating an equal society. By having clans it showed the impact monarchy had on not only the family, but the society in general. Like most African civilizations, the people were Muslim(Religion). They were more religious than any their civilization because it was about not only the relationship they had with one another, but how this reflected on their ancestors to Allah.
This kingdom rose in power after the fall of the Ghana Empire. The wealth of Africa came from its successful economy as it peaked in the 1350s .Their economy maintained power because of its access to important raw materials making Mali have important trade, wealth, culture and learning centers. They still used the sam political systems as the Ghana Empire by having emperors but ruled more about how the people would benefit. The peak was during the reign of Mansa Musa where he increased the empires size , that it became larger than any other European Empire at this time period.
It was located on the Niger river and expanded from the coast of Africa touching the Atlantic Ocean to modern day Niger. They used camels to get to the Mediterranean Sea to trade with other civilizations which helped its use of exchanged goods increase. They had good climate shifts which made it easier all around. Through technology the empire was able to manipulate iron in more ways especially thinking about how it would be used for horses. Traders traded metals (copper, iron, gold) with other countries not only to gain knowledge of other empires, but to improve their own (use of multiple languages).
The society was very good because due to the kindness of the people, they had some women in government which was a HUGE step in creating an equal society. By having clans it showed the impact monarchy had on not only the family, but the society in general. Like most African civilizations, the people were Muslim(Religion). They were more religious than any their civilization because it was about not only the relationship they had with one another, but how this reflected on their ancestors to Allah.
Songhai
circa 800-1500 C.E.
This was the largest empire in African history. This kingdom was the most powerful of the medieval west African states. This kingdom expanded rapidly based of the peoples attitude towards the government and with the help through King Sonni Ali in the 1400s-1500s.(Political systems) The empires economy was very safe especially for trade since the empire had armies on stand by the traders. Their most popular leader was Muhammad Askia the Great.
Gold fields of the Niger river were key to the geography success for trade The gold fields were usually operated by one family which provided a steady supply of gold that could be bought or exchanged for salt. This land to them expanding the empire. During the 1500s the kingdom reached its highest expansion of the land covering 1.4 million kilometers. One major area within the empire was Kilwa-Swahilli. It is located a few miles on the eastern coast of Africa in modern day Tanzania. It brought a lot of wealth to the economy.
At its peak Songhai city of Timbuktu became a thinking cultural and commercial center. Many people gathered in the cultural centers, and they served as focal points for trade. This was good because it helped with emperors orders to protect traders with military which really was one of the greatest success on the empire. Nearby were usually religious worship centers which allowed Muslims to calm themselves together, unifying the empire by at least having one thing in common- Allah.
They had great technological advances. Being that the military protected the people, and the people were the most important thing at this time period, the empire was motivated to advance themselves. They created iron tools which were like 'knights' but didn't lead to wanting to take over control.
This was the largest empire in African history. This kingdom was the most powerful of the medieval west African states. This kingdom expanded rapidly based of the peoples attitude towards the government and with the help through King Sonni Ali in the 1400s-1500s.(Political systems) The empires economy was very safe especially for trade since the empire had armies on stand by the traders. Their most popular leader was Muhammad Askia the Great.
Gold fields of the Niger river were key to the geography success for trade The gold fields were usually operated by one family which provided a steady supply of gold that could be bought or exchanged for salt. This land to them expanding the empire. During the 1500s the kingdom reached its highest expansion of the land covering 1.4 million kilometers. One major area within the empire was Kilwa-Swahilli. It is located a few miles on the eastern coast of Africa in modern day Tanzania. It brought a lot of wealth to the economy.
At its peak Songhai city of Timbuktu became a thinking cultural and commercial center. Many people gathered in the cultural centers, and they served as focal points for trade. This was good because it helped with emperors orders to protect traders with military which really was one of the greatest success on the empire. Nearby were usually religious worship centers which allowed Muslims to calm themselves together, unifying the empire by at least having one thing in common- Allah.
They had great technological advances. Being that the military protected the people, and the people were the most important thing at this time period, the empire was motivated to advance themselves. They created iron tools which were like 'knights' but didn't lead to wanting to take over control.