20 Questions
What was the main advantage of the Mali Kingdom's location near the Niger River?
They could grow food crops on the fertile lands along the river
How did the Kingdom of Mali collect revenue from trade?
By collecting heavy taxes on all goods moving in, out, and through the empire
What was the significance of the Niger River in the development of the Mali Kingdom?
It enabled the kingdom to develop a more stable economy
Who was the king who ruled the Mali Empire during its peak?
Mansa Musa I
What was unique about the transportation system of the Mali Kingdom?
They used camels, horses, and donkeys, but also the river Niger
What was the main reason for the Mali Kingdom's more stable economy compared to Ghana?
They could transport bulk goods and larger loads more easily by river
What was the significance of gold in the Mali Kingdom's economy?
It was used as a form of currency, and sometimes even as a tax, and gold dust could be traded
What was the title given to the kings of the Mali Empire?
Mansa
Why did the people living near the Niger River suffer less from drought?
Because they lived on fertile lands near the river
What was the main difference between the Mali Kingdom's economy and Ghana's economy?
The Mali Kingdom had a more stable economy due to the Niger River
What was the primary goal of Mansa Musa's territorial expansion?
To increase the empire's economic power
What was the primary commodity traded in the Mali Empire?
Gold
What was the result of Mansa Musa's control of trade routes?
The empire became a major economic power
What was the significance of the city of Timbuktu under Mansa Musa's rule?
It was a major center of Islamic learning
What was the benefit of Mansa Musa's decentralized government system?
It enabled immediate handling of local problems
What was the significance of Mansa Musa's Sankara Madrassa?
It was a major center of Islamic learning
What was the impact of Mansa Musa's encouragement of trade on the empire?
It made Mali a major economic power in the region
What was the result of Mansa Musa's unification of the area?
The people of the empire were united under Islamic culture
What was the significance of Mansa Musa's architects from Spain?
They planned some of his buildings
What was the impact of Mansa Musa's reign on the Mali Empire?
It made Mali a world power
Study Notes
The Mali Kingdom
- The Mali Empire began as a small Malinke kingdom within the Ghana Empire, but grew powerful due to its access to the Niger River.
- The Niger River enabled the kingdom to develop a stable economy by facilitating bulk goods transportation and providing fertile land for food crops.
Mansa Musa and the Rise of the Mali Empire
- Mansa Musa I expanded the empire's territory using his army of 100,000 soldiers, making Mali a center of trade and commerce.
- He improved living conditions in cities, built a large audience hall in his palace, and hired architects from Spain to plan some of his buildings.
- Mansa Musa controlled trade routes, encouraged trans-Saharan trade, and made Mali a major economic power in the region.
Unification and Economy
- Mansa Musa unified the area, bringing Timbuktu and Gao under Mali's control, and established Islam as the official religion.
- He encouraged trade between Mali, North Africa, and parts of Europe, with gold being the most important commodity.
Learning and Governance
- Mansa Musa encouraged learning by sending students to Muslim institutions and instructing the building of a university in Timbuktu.
- He established a decentralized government system, dividing the empire into provinces, each ruled by a governor, and composed of villages with mayors.
Legacy
- At the end of Mansa Musa's reign, he built and funded the Sankara Madrassa, which became one of the largest centers of learning in the Islamic world and the largest library in Africa at the time.
Learn about the Mali Kingdom's rise to power during the 14th century, and how Mansa Musa contributed to its success. Explore the kingdom's unique advantages, including its use of the River Niger for transportation.
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