Research chart / World history unit 5 Africa to 1500s (sample work)
Empire |. Political development | Social development | Cultural development |
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Ghana |
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Mali |
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Songhai |
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Ghana:
- Political development: Ghana was a centralized state ruled by a king or the Ghanaian emperor. The empire was divided into provinces, each led by a governor who reported to the king. Political power was centralized in the hands of the king.
- Social development: The society was organized into classes, with the king and nobles at the top, followed by the commoners and slaves. The king and nobles were responsible for upholding justice and maintaining order in the empire.
- Cultural development: The people of Ghana were primarily followers of traditional African religions. They had a rich oral tradition and passed down their history and stories through storytelling. They also engaged in long-distance trade, which brought cultural exchange and influenced their way of life.
Mali:
- Political development: Mali was also a centralized state led by a king. The empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a provincial ruler who was responsible for enforcing the king's laws and collecting taxes. The king held absolute power and was supported by a council of advisors.
- Social development: The society in Mali was organized into classes, with the king and nobles at the top, followed by merchants, farmers, and slaves. The king and nobles had access to education and lived lavish lifestyles. Slavery was a common practice in Mali.
- Cultural development: Mali was known for its thriving Islamic culture. Timbuktu, a city in Mali, became a center of Islamic learning and trade. The people of Mali also had a rich oral tradition and maintained their cultural practices, including music and dance.
Songhai:
- Political development: The Songhai Empire was a highly centralized state, similar to Ghana and Mali. It was ruled by an emperor who held absolute power and was supported by a council of advisors. The empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a governor.
- Social development: The society in Songhai was organized into classes, with the emperor and nobles at the top, followed by merchants, farmers, and slaves. Slavery was a prevalent practice in Songhai society.
- Cultural development: Songhai was a multi-ethnic empire with diverse cultural practices. Islam played an important role in the empire, as the emperor and nobles were often practicing Muslims. Songhai also had a vibrant oral tradition and was known for its architectural achievements, such as the Great Mosque of Timbuktu.
To research and fill in the chart for World History Unit 5 on Africa to the 1500s, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the empires you need to research: In this case, you need to research Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
2. Start with the empire of Ghana: Look for information on its political development, social development, and cultural development. This might include information on its government structure, political leaders, systems of governance, societal structures, social classes, the economy, trade, religion, art, architecture, and other cultural aspects.
3. Find reputable sources: Consult reliable and scholarly sources to gather accurate information. These can include textbooks, academic journals, reputable websites, and other historical resources. Libraries, online databases, and educational platforms can be useful in finding these sources.
4. Take notes and organize information: As you find relevant information for each empire, make detailed notes. Create separate sections for each empire in your research document or worksheet, and fill in the information you find under the respective categories of political development, social development, and cultural development.
5. Repeat the process for Mali and Songhai: Follow the same steps to research and gather information on the political, social, and cultural development of these empires. Make sure to gather information specific to each empire and not confuse details between them.
6. Fill in the chart: Once you have collected all the necessary information, consolidate it and fill in the chart accordingly. Place the gathered information under the appropriate columns for each empire.
7. Review and refine: Once you have completed your research and filled in the chart, go back and review the information you have presented. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and coherence. Edit and refine as necessary to make the information easily comprehensible.
With these steps, you should be able to complete your research chart on the political, social, and cultural development of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
Empire | Political Development | Social Development | Cultural Development |
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Ghana | Ghana was a powerful empire in West Africa from the 9th to the 13th century. It was a highly centralized state with a strong monarchy and a well-organized administrative system. The rulers of Ghana controlled the trade routes and levied taxes on goods passing through their territory. | Socially, Ghana was a hierarchical society with a ruling elite at the top followed by various levels of nobles, warriors, merchants, and farmers. Slavery was also present, with captured individuals being sold as slaves. | Culturally, Ghana was heavily influenced by Islam, which spread through trade and intermarriage. Arabic words were incorporated into the local language, and Islamic traditions and practices became more common. Architecture and art also showed Islamic influence. |
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Mali | Mali emerged as a powerful kingdom in West Africa in the 13th century after overthrowing the Ghana Empire. It was ruled by wealthy and powerful kings, the most famous of whom was Mansa Musa. Mali had a decentralized political system with the king as the ultimate authority but also with regional and local rulers having some autonomy. | The social structure of Mali was similar to Ghana, with a ruling elite at the top and various levels of nobles, warriors, merchants, and farmers below. Slavery was also present. Islam played a significant role in social life, with many people converting to the religion and adopting Islamic customs and traditions. | Culturally, Mali was known for its support of Islamic scholarship and the arts. Timbuktu, the capital of Mali, became a center of Islamic learning and attracted scholars from different parts of the Muslim world. Mali also had a rich oral tradition, with griots (oral historians) playing a crucial role in preserving and spreading history and cultural knowledge. |
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Songhai | The Songhai Empire emerged in the 15th century and quickly became the largest empire in West Africa. It was ruled by a strong central authority led by powerful rulers like Askia Muhammad. Songhai expanded through military conquests and controlled a vast territory. | Socially, Songhai was a hierarchical society with a ruling elite, followed by various levels of nobles and commoners. Slavery was present, and slaves played a significant role in the economy. Islam continued to be a dominant religion, but traditional African religious practices also coexisted. | The cultural development of Songhai was influenced by Islam but also retained many African cultural elements. The city of Timbuktu continued to be a center of learning and scholarship, attracting intellectuals and scholars. Rulers patronized the arts, resulting in the development of magnificent architecture, such as the Great Mosque of Djenné. Oral traditions, including griots, also played a vital role in preserving history and culture. |
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