West African Societies Around 1492
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Questions and Answers

What characteristic did the government in Benin and Askia Muhammad's kingdom share?

  • Both were nomadic societies
  • Both had an elected government system
  • Both were highly organized and used appointed officials (correct)
  • Both were ruled by absolute monarchs
  • In which kingdom was the powerful kingdom of Kongo located?

  • Akan
  • Songhai
  • Benin (correct)
  • Ife
  • Which European country exchanged ambassadors with Benin in the late 1400s?

  • England
  • Portugal (correct)
  • France
  • Spain
  • Where were the metal-working industries like goldsmithing and brass-smithing managed under Ewuare's rule?

    <p>Benin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which West African kingdom was highly developed in bronze artistry according to the text?

    <p>Ife</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the Portuguese outpost near the Akan goldfields in West Africa?

    <p>It marked the first European trading contact with West Africa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are the followers of Islam known as?

    <p>Muslims</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which kingdom is shown on the map furthest to the east?

    <p>Kanem-Bornu</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where were the Akan goldfields located in West Africa?

    <p>By the Gulf of Guinea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main purpose of the trade routes shown on the map?

    <p>To connect major cities within West Africa for commerce</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main significance of kente cloth for African Americans?

    <p>A tangible link to West African cultures of their ancestors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which people have woven kente cloth for centuries according to the text?

    <p>The Asante (Ashanti) people of modern Ghana</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What types of goods were typically exchanged in the trade system in West Africa?

    <p>Gold, ivory, and slaves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the impact of Portuguese trade routes on West Africa?

    <p>Introduction of firearms and new crops to West Africa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguished West African slavery from the slavery that developed in the Americas?

    <p>West African slavery was more focused on labor rather than racial oppression</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant consequence did the direct trade between Portuguese traders and West Africans have on the coastal region?

    <p>It pulled the coastal region into a closer relationship with Europe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What crop were the Portuguese primarily growing on their large sugar plantations in Príncipe and São Tomé?

    <p>Sugar cane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the Portuguese begin importing slaves from the West African mainland to work on their plantations?

    <p>To replicate the success of their slave plantations in the Americas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following regions was pulled into a closer relationship with Europe due to direct trade with Portuguese traders?

    <p>KONGO</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What model provided by the Portuguese slave plantations was later reproduced on a larger scale in the Americas?

    <p>Large-scale cultivation of sugar cane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What similarity struck the Portuguese sailors about Kongo when they first reached it in 1483?

    <p>The system of government centralized under one strong king</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Manikongo hold kingdoms together, according to the text?

    <p>Through a system of royal marriages, taxes, and war when necessary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What influenced the future interactions between Africans and Europeans, as mentioned in the text?

    <p>The bonds of kinship forming the basis of life in rural West Africa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way did the Bakongo people contribute to trade with Europeans?

    <p>Through their production of well-wrought tools and weapons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which West African kingdom had a system of government centralized under one strong king?

    <p>Kongo</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Government Characteristics

    • Both the government in Benin and Askia Muhammad's kingdom were characterized by centralized leadership, allowing for effective administration and control.

    Kingdom of Kongo

    • The powerful kingdom of Kongo was located in Central Africa, known for its strong political structure and rich resources.

    Benin's European Relations

    • In the late 1400s, ambassadors from Portugal exchanged diplomatic relations with the kingdom of Benin, marking early European contact in West Africa.

    Metal-working Industries Under Ewuare

    • Under Ewuare's rule, metal-working industries such as goldsmithing and brass-smithing were managed in specialized guilds, ensuring quality and innovation in craftsmanship.

    Bronze Artistry

    • The West African kingdom recognized for its highly developed bronze artistry is Ife, known for intricate sculptural works that highlighted artistic sophistication.

    Significance of Portuguese Outpost

    • The Portuguese outpost near the Akan goldfields facilitated the trade of gold and other valuable resources, establishing a crucial economic link between Europe and West Africa.

    Followers of Islam

    • Followers of Islam are known as Muslims, who played a significant role in the cultural and commercial exchanges in West Africa.

    Easternmost Kingdom on Map

    • The kingdom depicted furthest to the east on the map is Songhai, highlighting its geographical reach and political significance at the time.

    Akan Goldfields Location

    • The Akan goldfields were primarily located in present-day Ghana, known for its rich deposits and historical importance in global trade.

    Trade Route Purpose

    • The main purpose of the trade routes shown on the map was to facilitate the exchange of goods such as gold, salt, and other commodities between West Africa and Europe and the Middle East.

    Significance of Kente Cloth

    • Kente cloth holds deep cultural significance for African Americans, symbolizing heritage, identity, and the history of resilience and creativity.

    Weavers of Kente Cloth

    • The Akan people have woven kente cloth for centuries, making it an emblematic fabric of their culture and craftsmanship.

    Goods Exchanged in Trade System

    • Typical goods exchanged in the West African trade system included gold, ivory, spices, textiles, and enslaved individuals, driving economic interactions.

    Impact of Portuguese Trade Routes

    • Portuguese trade routes significantly impacted West Africa by increasing coastal trade, altering local economies, and enhancing European influence in the region.

    Distinction of West African Slavery

    • West African slavery was characterized by different social structures and practices compared to the slavery that developed in the Americas, often involving more integration into families and communities.

    Consequences of Direct Trade

    • The direct trade between Portuguese traders and West Africans led to enhanced economic activity in the coastal regions, contributing to the rise of coastal trading empires.

    Crop Cultivation by Portuguese

    • The Portuguese primarily cultivated sugar on their large plantations in Príncipe and São Tomé, which became crucial to European economies.

    Importation of Slaves

    • The Portuguese began importing slaves from the West African mainland to work on their plantations due to labor shortages caused by the demanding sugar production.

    Regions Closer to Europe

    • Regions such as the coast of West Africa were pulled into a closer relationship with Europe due to the direct trade initiated by Portuguese traders, reshaping economic and social dynamics.

    Reproduction of Portuguese Model

    • The model established by Portuguese slave plantations was later reproduced on a larger scale in the Americas, contributing to the transatlantic slave trade.

    Observations on Kongo

    • Portuguese sailors noted the organized political structure and wealth of Kongo during their first encounters, illustrating the kingdom’s importance.

    Manikongo's Role

    • The Manikongo held the kingdom of Kongo together by establishing a centralized power and creating alliances among local leaders, promoting stability and unity.

    Influences on African-European Interactions

    • Economic interests influenced future interactions between Africans and Europeans, shaping trade dynamics and cultural exchanges.

    Bakongo Contribution to Trade

    • The Bakongo people contributed to trade with Europeans by engaging in commerce and diplomacy, enhancing economic ties and cultural exchanges.

    Centralized Government in West Africa

    • The West African kingdom of Songhai had a system of government that was centralized under one strong king, which allowed for uniformity and effective governance.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the spread of Islam, the teachings of Muhammad, and the significance of the Qur'an. It also touches on the involvement of Portuguese mariners in establishing trading contacts along the West African coast during the 1400s.

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