Which statement best describes how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires?(1 point)
Responses
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.
Landslides and flooding destroyed villages, causing the population to use violence to gain food.
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.
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.
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 arrive at this answer, we need to analyze the options provided and select the one that aligns with the impact of physical geography on West African empires.
First, let's evaluate option 1: "Periods of drought led to declines in food production and increased migration of people seeking better conditions." This option highlights the negative effects of drought on food production, which is a significant factor influencing the decline of empires. Additionally, it mentions increased migration as people search for better conditions. This migration could potentially weaken the empires by causing a loss of population and resources.
Next, let's consider option 2: "Landslides and flooding destroyed villages, causing the population to use violence to gain food." While natural disasters like landslides and flooding can indeed cause destruction and hardship, there is no indication in this option of how it directly led to the decline of West African empires. The focus is more on violence caused by food scarcity, which may be a consequence of physical geography but does not directly address the decline of empires.
Moving on to option 3: "Hurricanes forced many to migrate east toward central Africa, which reduced the size of the armies." While hurricanes could potentially lead to migration and a reduction in army size, this option does not directly address the decline of West African empires. Additionally, it assumes migration towards central Africa, which may not necessarily be accurate for all West African empires.
Finally, let's assess option 4: "Salt was overmined, leading to shortages and protests by miners who demanded more gold for their work." While salt mining is an economic activity influenced by physical geography, this option does not specifically link it to the decline of West African empires. The focus is more on protests and demands for gold, which might affect the empires indirectly but does not provide a clear connection.
Based on this analysis, option 1 is the most accurate and comprehensive statement explaining how physical geography contributed to the decline of West African empires. Periods of drought affecting food production and prompting increased migration aligns with the challenges faced by these empires.