75 Questions
What was the capital of the Ghana Empire?
Koumbi Saleh
What contributed to the downfall of the Ghana Empire?
Conquest by Arabs from North Africa
Who was the most influential ruler of the Ghana Empire?
Majan Dyabe Cisse
What major religion spread to West Africa through the trans-Saharan caravan trade?
Islam
Which ruler of the Mali Empire significantly expanded its territory through military conquests?
Mansa Musa
What was a key factor in the wealth of the Mali Empire?
Gold mines
Which trade city was described as the strongest and wealthiest in West Africa during the Ghana Empire?
Kumbi Saleh
What is another name for caravans that traders used to travel across the desert?
Camels
During the Golden Age of Islam, where did Muslim scholars study the works of classical antiquity?
House of Wisdom in Baghdad
What was the most significant Islamic contribution to the West during the Golden Age of Islam?
Refining the Arabic number system
Why did the First Crusade start in 1096?
After a request from the Byzantine emperor to help defend against the Turks
What motivated Pope Urban II to initiate the First Crusade?
To carve out new Christian territory in the Middle East
What was one of the main outcomes of the First Crusade?
Establishment of four Crusader states
In what city did Muslim scholars refine the Arabic number system during the Golden Age of Islam?
Baghdad
Which place served as a center for scholarship and learning during the Abbasid dynasty?
House of Wisdom
What motivated many noblemen to join the Crusades?
Desire for fame and glory
What was the primary intention of the Crusades when they were first initiated?
To engage in a holy war against Muslims for control of the Holy Land
Which Crusade resulted in the successful capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders?
First Crusade
What event led to the shift of focus from Jerusalem to Byzantine during the Fourth Crusade?
Power struggles between Byzantines and Venetians over wealth
Which African empire was known for its iron smelting and the production of iron swords?
Ghana Empire
What was the significance of the University of Timbuktu during the Mali Empire?
It served as a center for culture and education
Why did the Ghana Empire decline around 1235 CE?
Conquest by outside forces attracted by its wealth
What differentiated the rulers of Mali Empire in its latter period from those in earlier times?
They were unable to control their lands effectively
'King of gold' is a meaning associated with which ancient African empire?
Ghana Empire
What was the significant event that led to the popularity of Buddhism in China?
Translation of Buddhist texts by Xuanzang
During which dynasty did the spread of Buddhism start in China?
Tang Dynasty
What was the main reason Emperor Wuzong feared Buddhism?
Its foreign origin
Which emperor issued an edict for the construction of many Buddhist statues?
Empress Wu Zetian
Which Buddha statue is mentioned as the largest in the world even today?
Leshan Buddha
What impact did Xuanzang's translations have on Buddhism in China?
Contributed to the widespread popularity of Buddhism
'Large amounts of wealth and influence' accumulated by Buddhism was primarily a concern for which ruler?
Emperor Wuzong
Which West African king was famously known for converting to Islam and making a pilgrimage to Arabia?
Mansa Musa
What impact did the merchants, scholars, and priests have on the conversion of Africa to Islam?
They brought the Arabic language and Islamic faith
Which architectural projects did Mansa Musa commission in his kingdom to spread Islam?
Mosques and the University of Timbuktu
What significant cultural influence did West Africa have on the United States?
Textiles and arts
During the fall of the Sui Dynasty in China, who named himself the emperor of the new Tang Dynasty?
Li Yuan
What was Li Shimin's role in the reunification of China during the Tang Dynasty?
He forced his father off the throne and became Emperor Taizong
What was a key outcome of the Golden Age of Islam in terms of mathematics?
Refinement of the Arabic number system
What motivated the Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus to request help from Pope Urban II for the First Crusade?
Reclamation of territory lost to Muslim power
What was the primary motivation of noblemen who joined the Crusades?
Seeking fame and glory
Which of the following best describes the establishment of four Crusader states after the First Crusade?
Development of new Christian territories in the Middle East
During the Golden Age of Islam, what was one significant achievement in the field of science?
Advancements in astronomy and optics
What was one notable contribution of Muslim scholars during the Golden Age of Islam?
Contributing to the field of algebra
What differentiated the motivations of Emperor Alexius Comnenus from those of Pope Urban II for initiating the First Crusade?
Need for mercenaries vs. goal to reclaim lost territory
Which field experienced significant advancements by Muslim scholars during the Golden Age of Islam?
"Mathematics, including algebra and trigonometry"
What was the role of scholars and priests in the conversion of Africa to Islam?
Spreading the Arabic language and Islamic faith
Which West African king is famous for his extreme wealth and pilgrimage to Arabia?
Mansa Musa
What architectural projects did Mansa Musa commission in his kingdom?
Erecting mosques and the University of Timbuktu
Which aspect of West African culture had a significant influence on the United States?
Oral traditions like proverbs
Who played a crucial role in the reunification of China during the fall of the Sui Dynasty?
Li Yuan and Li Shimin
Where did Chinese Buddhism originate from?
India
What technique is commonly used in West African music to establish a connection with listeners?
'Call-and-response'
'Every time an old man dies, it is as if a library has burned down.' This proverb highlights the significance of which aspect of West African culture?
'Proverbs'
What was the primary reason for the decline of the Ghana Empire in 1235 C.E.?
Invasion by Arabs from North Africa
What was a significant factor contributing to the wealth of the Mali Empire?
Gold mines and lucrative trade networks
Which ruler is most associated with the expansion of the Mali Empire through military conquests?
Sundiata Keita
What was a key method through which Islam spread across North Africa and to West Africa?
Caravan trade routes
What led to the downfall of the Mali Empire around the mid-1400s?
Lack of effective leadership and invasions by outside groups
Which city served as the capital of the Ghana Empire?
Koumbi Saleh
What was the main purpose of the Crusades when they were initiated?
To reclaim control over the Holy Land and Jerusalem
What was the significance of Ibn Battuta's travelogue known as the Rihlah?
It offered valuable information about West Africa between 1000-1300 CE
What led to the fall of the Mali Empire around 1600 CE?
Weak rulers unable to control their lands
What was a key distinguishing feature of the Ghana Empire's warriors?
They utilized iron swords from iron smelting
Why did the attention shift from Jerusalem to Byzantine during the Fourth Crusade?
Power struggles between the Byzantines and Venetians over wealth
What was a major factor contributing to the downfall of the Ghana Empire?
Interest from outside groups in its wealth
Which empire had a famous university known as the University of Timbuktu?
Mali Empire
'King of gold' is an associated meaning with which ancient African empire?
Ghana Empire
Who is credited with bringing hundreds of Buddhist texts from India to China and translating them, leading to the spread of Buddhism in China?
Xuanzang
During which dynasty did the spread of Buddhism significantly increase in China due to translations and support from emperors?
Tang Dynasty
Why did Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty fear Buddhism and implement policies that led to a decline in its influence in China?
Buddhism was seen as a foreign religion accumulating wealth and power
Which edict was issued by Empress Wu Zetian to promote the construction of many Buddhist statues during the Tang Dynasty?
Golden Buddha Edict
What was the main reason behind the policies Emperor Wuzong implemented that led to the decline of Buddhist influence in China during the 9th century AD?
To counter the influence of foreign religions
Which Buddhist statue, commissioned during the Tang Dynasty, is still considered the largest Buddha statue in the world today?
Leshan Buddha
What was one of the key factors that contributed to the widespread adoption of Buddhism in China during the Tang Dynasty?
Translations of Buddhist texts by Xuanzang
Which aspect of Buddhism was a primary concern for Emperor Wuzong, leading to a decline in Buddhist influence in China during his reign?
'Accumulation of wealth and influence'
Test your knowledge on the Kingdom of Ghana, trade practices, and the capital city of Koumbi Saleh. Explore the significant role of trade in the success of the empire and how it influenced the culture and administration.
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