Which statement best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires?(1 point)
Responses
Hurricanes forced many to migrate east toward central Africa, which reduced the size of the armies.
Hurricanes forced many to migrate east toward central Africa, which reduced the size of the armies.
Salt was overmined, leading to shortages and protests by miners who demanded more gold for their work.
Salt was overmined, leading to shortages and protests by miners who demanded more gold for their work.
Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
Landslides and flooding destroyed villages, causing the population to use violence to gain food.
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: "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:
Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions.
To understand this, we need to consider the impact of physical geography on the West African empires. West Africa has a diverse physical geography, characterized by various climatic zones, including arid regions, savannas, and rainforests.
Periods of drought, which are common in the arid regions of West Africa, can have a devastating effect on agriculture and food production. When drought occurs, it significantly reduces the availability of water needed for crop cultivation, leading to crop failures and food shortages. As a result, the people in these regions may suffer from famine and malnutrition, which can weaken their physical health and overall societal stability.
In response to these challenging conditions, people might resort to migration, seeking areas with more favorable conditions for agriculture and survival. This increased migration can lead to the depopulation of certain areas, resulting in a decline in the size of the population and the workforce.
In addition to these direct impacts on food production and population, periods of drought and the resulting migration can also disrupt political and socioeconomic systems. The movement of people seeking better conditions may lead to social unrest, conflicts, and shifting power dynamics within the empires. This can weaken the empires' ability to govern effectively and maintain control over their territories.
Therefore, the statement "Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions" best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires.