Question

How did commerce facilitate the development of powerful kingdoms in sub-Saharan West Africa?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Trade was a primary factor in the rise and development of the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. In particular, these kingdoms grew wealthy, powerful, and influential because they were able to collect taxes from traders who crossed their territories.

Answer 2

Commerce was a primary driving force facilitating the development of powerful kingdoms in sub-Saharan West Africa in the following ways.

• The great kingdoms of sub-Saharan West Africa, Ghana, Mali, and the kingdom of Songhai were all dependent on trade.
• The trans-Saharan trade was a great revenue driver for these kingdoms. It made these kingdoms extremely wealthy.
• Slaves, gold, salt, and obsidian were the primary objects traded on these routes.
• Mansa Musa, a Malian emperor, is considered to have been the richest person to have ever lived.
• This showcases the wealth and power of these sub-Saharan empires.
• Along with overland trade, trade along the river Niger also helped these states flourish.
• The arrival of the Europeans, primarily the Portuguese, and their exploration of the west coast of Africa, led to a decline in the trade routes.
• Further conflict and wars in the region diminished the volume of commerce to a shadow of its former self.
• This decline in commerce coincided with the decline in the power of these sub-Saharan empires.

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