Origins of the African Diaspora

Songhai, Mali, Ghana

Mali, Ghana, Songhai

Ghana, Songhai, Mali

Ghana, Mali, Songhai

Extensive naval power and maritime trade

Control of gold mines and trade routes

Widespread industrial manufacturing

A unified legal code across all empires

Gems

Spices

Gold

Silk

It allowed them to control access to major gold mines and connect the Sahara Desert with sub-Saharan Africa.

It allowed them to establish colonies in Europe.

It gave them a monopoly on spice trade with Asia.

It isolated them from outside influence.

It allowed them to fund large-scale agricultural projects.

It provided them with resources to build strong militaries and exert influence over trade networks.

It led to dependence on European manufactured goods.

It caused widespread inflation and economic instability.

It led to the forced conversion of local populations.

It brought Muslim traders, scholars, and administrators to the region.

It resulted in the suppression of local religious beliefs.

It had no impact on the spread of Islam.

Islam was uniformly adopted without any syncretism across all empires.

Rulers in Ghana rejected Islam, while rulers in Mali and Songhai converted and supported its spread, leading to a blend of Islamic teachings with local customs.

Local beliefs were entirely eradicated by Islamic practices.

The blending of Islamic teachings with local beliefs was solely driven by military conquest.

The discovery of new gold mines in South America.

The rise of maritime trade and internal conflicts.

A devastating plague that wiped out the population.

The adoption of Christianity as the state religion.

It increased Songhai's wealth and power.

It diminished Songhai's wealth and strategic importance.

It had no impact on Songhai.

It led to Songhai's conversion to Christianity.

Defeating the Roman Empire

Developing Timbuktu and Djenne into major centers of trade and learning

Discovering the Americas

Inventing the printing press