Which statement best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires? (1 point)
1. Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
2. Salt was overmined, leading to shortages and protests by miners who demanded more gold for their work.
3. Hurricanes forced many to migrate east toward central Africa, which reduced the size of the armies.
4. Landslides and flooding destroyed villages, causing the population to use violence to gain food.
The correct statement is: 1. Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
The statement that best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires is: 1. Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
To determine which statement best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires, we can evaluate each option.
1. Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
This option suggests that droughts resulted in decreased food production and a higher number of people migrating to areas with better conditions. This could weaken the empires by reducing agricultural output and possibly causing societal unrest due to competition over resources.
2. Salt was overmined, leading to shortages and protests by miners who demanded more gold for their work.
This option suggests that overmining of salt led to scarcity, which triggered protests by miners demanding better compensation. While salt was an important resource, it may not have been the primary factor contributing to the decline of West African empires.
3. Hurricanes forced many to migrate east toward central Africa, which reduced the size of the armies.
This option implies that hurricanes caused migration toward central Africa, resulting in a decrease in the size of the empires' armies. While natural disasters could have influenced population movements, it is questionable whether this was a major factor in the decline of the empires.
4. Landslides and flooding destroyed villages, causing the population to use violence to gain food.
This option suggests that landslides and flooding destroyed villages, leading to violent confrontations over food among the affected population. While natural disasters can impact food production and provoke conflict, it may not directly correlate with the decline of West African empires.
Based on the above analysis, option 1 appears to be the most plausible statement. The periods of drought, leading to declines in food production and increased migration, would have had a significant impact on the stability and prosperity of the West African empires.