East and West African Societies Quick Check
1. Identify which factor supported both Axum and the Swahili city-states in trading with other nations.
A. location ✅
B. trade
C. language
D. lack of competition
2. What can we infer happened to the Axum Empire after 1100 CE?
A. It lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence. ✅
B. It was destroyed by a rival empire.
C. It stopped trading entirely.
D. The economic system fell apart due to overexpansion.
3. Describe a major factor in the longevity of the Swahili city-states’ influence.
A. the number of cities along the coast overwhelming any competitors
B. the wide variety of goods that they offered
C. the trade network that connected the city-states to other powers in the Indian Ocean ✅
D. the weather along the coastal area allowing for an increase in farming
4. Which statement best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires?
A. Landslides and flooding destroyed villages, causing the population to use violence to gain food.
B. Salt was overmined, leading to shortages and protests by miners who demanded more gold for their work.
C. Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions. ✅
D. Hurricanes forced many to migrate east toward central Africa, which reduced the size of the armies.
5. Explain the significance of Timbuktu in West Africa.
A. Timbuktu was the origin point of iron-smelting in West Africa.
B. Timbuktu was the capital of the Nok culture.
C. Timbuktu was a center for learning similar to the institutions that preceded universities in Europe. ✅
D. Timbuktu was a popular tourist destination.
Your answers are correct! Here are the correct answers for the quiz:
1. The factor that supported both Axum and the Swahili city-states in trading with other nations was location.
2. We can infer that after 1100 CE, the Axum Empire lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence.
3. The major factor in the longevity of the Swahili city-states’ influence was the trade network that connected the city-states to other powers in the Indian Ocean
4. Physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires as periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
5. The significance of Timbuktu in West Africa is that it was a center for learning similar to the institutions that preceded universities in Europe.
1. The factor that supported both Axum and the Swahili city-states in trading with other nations is their location. Both regions were strategically located along major trade routes, which allowed them to engage in extensive trade with other nations.
2. After 1100 CE, we can infer that the Axum Empire lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence. This suggests that the Swahili city-states became more economically and politically dominant in the region, overshadowing the influence of Axum.
3. A major factor in the longevity of the Swahili city-states' influence was the trade network that connected them to other powers in the Indian Ocean. This network allowed the city-states to establish and maintain extensive trade relations with distant regions, contributing to their economic prosperity and influence.
4. The decline of West African empires was partly caused by periods of drought leading to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions. This environmental factor had a negative impact on the stability and sustainability of the empires, as it resulted in reduced food availability, population displacement, and increased social unrest.
5. Timbuktu was a center for learning similar to the institutions that preceded universities in Europe. It was a renowned intellectual and cultural hub in West Africa, attracting scholars, traders, and students from various parts of the world. The city was known for its famous universities, libraries, and the extensive scholarship that took place there, making it a significant center of intellectual and academic pursuits.
To answer these questions and understand the reasoning behind each answer, we can analyze the information provided in the question and apply some basic knowledge about the topic. Let's go through each question step by step:
1. Identify which factor supported both Axum and the Swahili city-states in trading with other nations.
To answer this question, we need to consider what factors are necessary for successful trading with other nations. In this case, location is the key factor that supported both Axum and the Swahili city-states in trading with other nations. Both Axum and the Swahili city-states were located in favorable positions along major trade routes, which allowed them to have easy access to both maritime and land routes for trade.
2. What can we infer happened to the Axum Empire after 1100 CE?
To answer this question, we need to consider the timeline of events and any historical context we have about the Axum Empire. Based on the given options, the best inference is that the Axum Empire lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence. This is a reasonable inference as the Swahili city-states became major players in Indian Ocean trade during this time period while the influence of Axum diminished.
3. Describe a major factor in the longevity of the Swahili city-states’ influence.
To answer this question, we need to identify the factor that contributed to the Swahili city-states' influence lasting for a long time. Out of the given options, the best choice is the trade network that connected the city-states to other powers in the Indian Ocean. This trade network allowed the Swahili city-states to engage in extensive trade and establish economic alliances, which helped in maintaining their influence over a prolonged period.
4. Which statement best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires?
To answer this question, we need to consider how physical geography could have impacted the West African empires. Based on the given options, the best choice is that periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions. This scenario is plausible as drought can disrupt agricultural productivity, leading to food shortages, and consequent migration of people to regions with better resources.
5. Explain the significance of Timbuktu in West Africa.
To answer this question, we need to understand the historical significance of Timbuktu in West Africa. Out of the given options, the best choice is that Timbuktu was a center for learning similar to the institutions that preceded universities in Europe. This is accurate as Timbuktu became renowned as a major center of Islamic learning during the medieval period, attracting scholars from across Africa and the Islamic world.
By analyzing the information provided and applying some basic knowledge about the topic, we can arrive at the correct answers to these questions.