Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primary geographic challenge did the trans-Saharan trade overcome to facilitate economic exchange?
What primary geographic challenge did the trans-Saharan trade overcome to facilitate economic exchange?
- Sailing across stormy seas with unpredictable weather.
- Crossing vast mountain ranges.
- Traversing a large desert with limited resources. (correct)
- Navigating dense jungle terrain.
Why were camels considered essential to the trans-Saharan trade?
Why were camels considered essential to the trans-Saharan trade?
- They were the only animals strong enough to carry trade goods across water.
- They possessed a natural immunity to all desert diseases.
- Camels could carry heavy loads and endure long periods without water. (correct)
- Camels were commonly available and inexpensive throughout Africa.
What role did the Berbers play in the trans-Saharan trade?
What role did the Berbers play in the trans-Saharan trade?
- They primarily served as guides for maritime trade routes.
- They facilitated the trade of goods across the desert as part of large caravans. (correct)
- They were the main manufacturers of trade goods like silk and textiles.
- They were responsible for protecting trade routes from pirates on the Indian Ocean.
What was a common exchange that occurred between the Berbers and West Africans?
What was a common exchange that occurred between the Berbers and West Africans?
What was a significant non-economic impact of the trans-Saharan trade on West Africa?
What was a significant non-economic impact of the trans-Saharan trade on West Africa?
How did the trans-Saharan trade routes functionally resemble maritime trade routes?
How did the trans-Saharan trade routes functionally resemble maritime trade routes?
Imagine a West African kingdom is seeking to increase its influence in both Europe and China during the height of the trans-Saharan trade. What action would best support this goal?
Imagine a West African kingdom is seeking to increase its influence in both Europe and China during the height of the trans-Saharan trade. What action would best support this goal?
A historian is studying the impact of trans-Saharan trade on the development of West African societies. Which primary source would provide the MOST direct evidence of this impact?
A historian is studying the impact of trans-Saharan trade on the development of West African societies. Which primary source would provide the MOST direct evidence of this impact?
If a new trade route emerged that bypassed the Sahara Desert by utilizing advanced maritime technology to sail around Africa, what is the MOST likely long-term economic impact on the Berber traders?
If a new trade route emerged that bypassed the Sahara Desert by utilizing advanced maritime technology to sail around Africa, what is the MOST likely long-term economic impact on the Berber traders?
Imagine you're advising a merchant in the 10th century who wants to maximize profits while minimizing risks in the trans-Saharan trade. Which strategy would be MOST effective?
Imagine you're advising a merchant in the 10th century who wants to maximize profits while minimizing risks in the trans-Saharan trade. Which strategy would be MOST effective?
Flashcards
Trans-Saharan Trade
Trans-Saharan Trade
Trade routes connecting the Saharan region to the outside world from the 9th-13th centuries.
Camels
Camels
Animals used for the Trans-Saharan trade because they could carry heavy loads and travel long distances without water.
Caravans
Caravans
Groups of traders traveling together over long distances, often with camels.
Berbers
Berbers
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Salt
Salt
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Gold, Ivory & Ebony
Gold, Ivory & Ebony
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Islam
Islam
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Ships of the desert
Ships of the desert
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Arabic Language
Arabic Language
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Booming Trade
Booming Trade
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Study Notes
- The Trans-Saharan caravan trade was a system of extensive trade routes that connected the Saharan region to the outside world from the 9th through 13th centuries.
- The trans-Saharan caravan trade was very active, and is referred to as a sandy sea.
- Camels were called the ships of the desert.
- Camels were the animal of choice because they could carry lots of weight, go long periods without water, and move quickly.
- Merchants and their camels formed caravans, or groups of traders traveling together over long distances.
Berbers
- The Berbers were a group of Arabs from North Africa who carried trade goods across the desert.
- Berber caravans usually consisted of hundreds, if not thousands, of camels; one Arab caravan had about 12,000 camels.
- Arab caravans carried silk, salt and textiles to Africa, traded with West Africans for gold, ivory and ebony wood and traded these goods in Europe and China.
- The Arabs and their caravans succeeded in connecting Africa to the outside world.
Islam
- Arab caravans brought the faith of Islam to West Africa.
- The connection remains alive and well as many of the people of West Africa still claim allegiance to the Islamic faith.
- The African trade routes lost popularity as Europeans sailed around Africa, and as the discovery of the Americas gave the world another place to get gold.
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Description
Explore the extensive Trans-Saharan caravan trade routes connecting the Saharan region to the world from the 9th-13th centuries. Learn about the role of Berber caravans consisting of camels in trading goods such as silk, salt, gold and ivory between Africa, Europe and China.
