Glue on pg ____ of NB
European Exploration
USI.4c
The student will demonstrate knowledge of European explorations in North
America and West Africa by:
a) identifying the location and describing the characteristics of West
African societies (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) and their interactions with
traders.
Essential Knowledge:
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai dominated West Africa one after another from 300 to
1600 A.D.
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were located in the western region of Africa, south of
the Sahara Desert, near the Niger River.
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai became powerful by controlling trade in West Africa.
The Portuguese carried goods from Europe to West African empires, trading
metals, cloth, and other manufactured goods for gold.
Essential Understandings:
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai each dominated West Africa in sequence from 300 to
1600 A.D.
African people and African goods played an important role in European interest in
world resources.
Essential Questions:
What was the importance of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?
Where were the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai located?
When did the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai exist in Africa?
How did West African empires impact European trade?
Glue on pg ____ of NB
African Kingdoms - USI 4c
Name _______________________________________ Date __________
I. In the se lection below circle the term that makes e ach statement correct.
While the Europeans w ere exploring in North America several kingdoms were thriving
in ( East, West ) Africa. The oldest and smallest o f the kingdoms w as( Songhai, Mali,
Ghana ) which was at its height at about 1250. Next was ( Songhai, Mali, Ghana ) which
controlled a larger area and was at its strongest around 1350. Finally there was( Songhai,
Mali, Ghana ) which was the largest of the kingdoms and it was at its peak around 1450.
These kingdoms played an important role in arousing European interest in( exploring
Africa, world resources ).
The three kingdoms became pow erful by contro lling
( trade, religion ) in their part
of Africa. The European nation they began to trade with was( Spain, Portugal, France ).
That nation bro ught ( me tals and cloth, food and gold ) and ( handmade goods,
manufactured goods ) to Africa and traded the m for( gold, copper ).
II. Map Study - On the map below label each of the African kingdoms.
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