Seventh Grade Social Studies
3rd Grading Period
Power Objective:
Academic Vocabulary:
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Describe how empires in Africa (Ghana, Mali and
Songhay) and Asia (Byzantine, Ottoman Mughal and
China) grew as commercial and cultural centers along
trade routes. (7.H.8MC)
rift
Sub-saharan Africa
Trans-saharan
Sahel
Savannah
rain forest
extended family
animism
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silent barter
triangular trade
Trans-Atlantic trade
oral history
griots
proverb
Kente
Byzantine Empire
First Global Age
Enduring Understanding:
Essential Questions:
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The people, natural resources and location of West Africa
and Asia provided an economic stimulus that was needed
for empires to grow and thrive.
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How did the geography, resources, culture, and trade
influence the growth of societies in West Africa?
How were the rulers of Africa able to build an empire by
controlling the salt and gold trade?
How were West Africans able to preserve their history
without an official language?
How did the trans-Atlantic slave trade affect Africa and its
people?
How did the silk road allow the Byzantine Empire to create a
monopoly?