Friday, January 25, 2019
Today, we will work on geography in Africa.  Using this slide show (link), fill in notes on this page (link).
History questions from January 14 - 18 and January 22 - 23:

Chapter 5 “West African Civilizations”

Answer questions in complete sentences

Section 1 “The Geography of Africa”, p. 112-115

1. Look at the map on page 113. Africa contains a “world’s largest” and a “world’s longest”. What are they and what are they called?
2. What is a savannah?
3. How might living in the Sahel be different than living in a rainforest?
4. In which African climate region would you prefer to live?  Why?
5. What were two of early West Africa’s important mineral resources?
6. How were these resources related to West Africa’s physical geography?
7. Why do you think miners kept the location of the gold mines a secret?

Chapter 5 “West African Civilizations”

Answer questions in complete sentences

Section 2 “Early Culture and Trade”, pl 116-121

1. What are two groups to which a person in early West Africa may have owed loyalty?
2. How did animism reflect what was important to early West African people?
3. How did the use of iron change farming?
4. What evidence do you think historians have for how the Nok people lived?
5. What animal made trade across the Sahara easier?
6. In what directions did the main trade items of West Africa move?
7. Look at the map and photographs on pages 120-121.  What are the four factors that made crossing the Sahara a difficult journey?
8. Look at the map and photographs on pages 120-121.Why was salt a valued trade good?

Chapter 6 “West African Empires”

Answer questions in complete sentences.

Section 1 “Empire of Ghana”, p. 130-135

1. What were the two most valuable resources traded in Ghana?
2. Describe the silent barter system in three to four sentences.
3. How did trade help Ghana develop?
4. What did Ghana’s kings do with the money they raised from taxes?
5. Why did the rulers of Ghana not want everyone to have gold?
6. Why was Tunka Manin significant?
7. What group invaded Ghana in the late 1000s?
8. How did overgrazing lead to the fall of Ghana?

Section 2 “Empire of Mali”, p. 136-141

1. What steps did Sundiata take to turn Mali into an empire?
2. Look at the map on page 137.  On what river are Timbuktu and Gao located?
3. How did Mansa Musa’s journey change people’s perceptions of Mali?
4. How did Islam help turn Mali into a center of learning?
5. What group invaded Mali in 1431?
6. How did Mali’s growth eventually weaken the empire?
7. Why did Mansa Musa’s spending make European’s want to come to Africa?

Section 3 “Empire of Songhai”, p. 142-146

1. Look at the map on page 143.  About how many miles did the Songhai Empire stretch from west to east?
2. What did Sunni Ali achieve as ruler of the Songhai?
3. What do you think was Askia’s greatest accomplishment?  Why?
4. Why do you think Askia the Great’s tomb is still considered an honored place?
5. Look at the time line on page 146.  List the empires in chronological order.
6. What do you think happened to the people of West Africa after the empire of Songhai was defeated?

Section 4 “Historical and Artistic Traditions”, p. 147-151

1. Why were oral traditions important in West Africa?
2. Why were the written histories of West Africa written by people from other lands?
3. Why may Ibn Battutah have been particularly interested in security within Mali?
4. How did West African music affect modern American music?
5. How were traditions preserved in West Africa?

During fifth period, we will split the class in half, with

some students going to R-6 to work with Mrs. Waistell

and some students remaining in E-7 to work with Ms.

Brooke.