1.5 State Building in Africa

• During the period from c. 1200 to c. 1450, strong kingdoms emerged across Africa with distinct political structures and economic activities
• In West Africa, the Mali and Songhai empires established vast trade networks centered around gold and salt
• The Swahili states in East Africa were key coastal trading hubs during the period c. 1200 to c. 1450.


  True
• Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca took place in the years 1324 to 1325
• The expansion of coastal trade in the Swahili states occurred between c. 1200 and 1450.

  True
• What trade network did the Swahili states rely on for their economic prosperity?

  Indian Ocean trade
• Which West African empire was divided into provinces for administrative purposes?

  Songhai
• Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca occurred in the years 1324 to 1325
• The expansion of coastal trade in the Swahili states took place from c. 1200 to 1450
• The Songhai Empire continued the trans-Saharan trade routes and expanded river trade networks.
• The Mali Empire was located in West Africa and relied on gold, salt, and agricultural production
• What type of political structure did the Kingdom of Kongo have?

  Centralized monarchy
• What three factors drove state building in Africa during c. 1200 to c. 1450?

  Trade, cultural exchange, military power
• Order the regions by the primary impact of state building in Africa during c. 1200 to c. 1450:

  1️⃣ West Africa: Expansion of trans-Saharan trade

  2️⃣ East Africa: Strengthening regional trade networks

  3️⃣ Southern Africa: Emergence of centralized monarchy
• Sonni Ali led the Songhai Empire to conquer surrounding regions around 1464.


  True
• Match the state/empire with its primary trade network:

  Mali ↔️ Trans-Saharan

  Swahili States ↔️ Indian Ocean
• Which economic activities were central to the Swahili States?

  Maritime trade and agriculture
• The Songhai Empire expanded its trade networks along the Niger River
• The Mali Empire's trade networks connected West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean.


  True
• What was the Kingdom of Kongo known for in Southern Africa?

  Well-organized society
• Great Zimbabwe reached its peak of construction and trade during the 13th to 15th centuries.
• What were the primary economic activities of the Mali Empire?

  Gold, salt, agriculture
• Major events in the timeline of state building in Africa from c. 1200 to c. 1450

  1️⃣ Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca (1324-1325)

  2️⃣ Sonni Ali leads Songhai conquest (c. 1464)

  3️⃣ Peak of construction and trade in Great Zimbabwe (c. 13th-15th centuries)

  4️⃣ Expansion of coastal trade in Swahili states (c. 1200-1450)

  5️⃣ Formation and growth of the Kingdom of Kongo (c. 1300-1450)
• Which Southern African kingdom relied on agriculture and copper mining for its economy?

  Kingdom of Kongo
• The peak of construction and trade in Great Zimbabwe occurred during the 13th to 15th centuries.
• What trade routes did the Mali Empire rely on for its economy?

  Trans-Saharan routes
• Which Southern African kingdom had a centralized monarchy with provincial governors?

  Kingdom of Kongo
• Match the state/empire with its primary economic activity:

  Mali ↔️ Gold, salt, agriculture

  Swahili States ↔️ Maritime trade

  Kingdom of Kongo ↔️ Copper mining

  Great Zimbabwe ↔️ Gold mining
• The Swahili states in East Africa thrived as hubs of maritime commerce due to the Indian Ocean trade network.


  True
• The spread of Islam influenced the development of centralized monarchies like the Kingdom of Kongo.

  True
• The development of Great Zimbabwe and the Swahili states strengthened regional trade networks in the Indian Ocean
• Sonni Ali led the Songhai Empire to conquer surrounding regions around 1464
• Great Zimbabwe's political structure was a well-organized chiefdom or kingdom.


  True
• Where was the Mali Empire located?

  West Africa
• Match the states with their economic activities:

  Swahili States ↔️ Maritime trade and agriculture

  Mali Empire ↔️ Gold, salt, and agriculture

  Great Zimbabwe ↔️ Gold mining and cattle farming
• In which region of Africa was the Kingdom of Kongo located?

  Southern Africa
• What role did trade networks play in the growth of African states during c. 1200 to c. 1450?

  Fueled economic prosperity
• Military power was essential for expanding the authority of states like the Songhai Empire.


  True
• Match the regions with the impact of state building:

  West Africa ↔️ Expansion of trans-Saharan trade

  East Africa ↔️ Strengthened Indian Ocean trade

  Southern Africa ↔️ Centralized monarchy and copper mining
• Match the states with their political structures:

  Mali Empire ↔️ Centralized imperial structure

  Swahili States ↔️ City-states ruled by sheiks

  Kingdom of Kongo ↔️ Centralized monarchy