Social Studies
What was trans-Saharan trade?
A trade route that crossed the Sahara desert
How did Islam spread throughout North and West Africa?
After Arabs invaded North Africa, Berber merchants began converting to Islam. Then West African rulers and merchants also began converting to Islam
How did desertification of the Sahara shape settlement patterns?
As the Sahara dried out, many of the people living in the Sahara migrated.
Why did North Africa develop independently from the rest of the African continent?
B/C the Sahara cut it off from the rest of the continent
How did scarcity affect the price of salt?
Because salt was relatively scarce, its price was high and it could be traded for other valuable goods.
Was travel by caravan worth the risk?
Because then you could get places faster
What group was primarily responsible for carrying Islam across the Sahara?
Berbers
Why were salt and gold such valuable resources?
Both salt and gold were used to trade for other commodities. Salt was needed to preserve meat and other foods.
In what ways did camels change trans-Saharan trade?
Camels made large-scale trade possible because the camels could carry heavy loads over long distances and required little food or water.
Why did traders travel in caravans?
For safety
What valuable goods were exchanged on the trans-Saharan trade route?
Gold, copper, salt, and slaves
What effect did climate change have on the geography and climate of the Sahara?
It caused the Sahara's lakes, rivers, and grasslands to dry up
What was the Sahara like 30 million years ago?
It was a ocean.
What happened to greatly increase the slave trade?
Muslims traders in North Africa greatly increased the slave trade
What happened to slaves that reached North Africa?
Slaves who reached North Africa often became domestic servants, soldiers, artisans, or government officials
For what commodity from India were African gold and salt traded?
Spices
The Sahara borders what two bodies of water on the east and west?
The Atlantic Ocean and Red Sea
What major landforms are found in North Africa?
The Atlas Mountains, the Sahara desert, and the Ahaggar and Tibesti mountains
What happens during desertification?
The land becomes very dry and unproductive
Why might West African merchants have viewed conversion to Islam as a trading advantage?
To help facilitate trade
How were slaves primarily used?
To mine gold and salt
