Trans-Saharan Trade Network Lecture Notes

Overview

• Focus on the Trans-Saharan Trade Network in Africa.
• Connected North Africa and the Mediterranean world with interior West Africa.
• Expanded during the period starting around 1200.

Causes for Expansion

• Innovations in Transportation Technology:
  • Introduction of the Arabian camel (1000 years before 1200).
  • Use of camel saddles for riding and carrying larger loads of merchandise.
  • Establishment of caravanserais (rest stops) for merchants.

Goods Traded

• Various regions exported different goods:
  • Gold
  • Crops like kola nuts (source of caffeine)
  • Horses
  • Salt (high demand across the continent)

Impact on States

• Expansion of trade led to the rise of powerful states.
• Empire of Mali:
  • Established in the 13th century.
  • Islam introduced to the region earlier, connecting Mali to the economic trade partnerships in Dar al-Islam.
  • Grew wealthy through participation in the Trans-Saharan Trade.
  • Exported goods, notably gold, and taxed merchants traveling through their territory.
  • Comparison to the Sultanate of Malacca in the Indian Ocean trade: both controlled strategic trade points and grew in power and wealth.

Mansa Musa's Influence

• Most powerful ruler of Mali.
• Mansa Musa's wealth demonstrated by his pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca.
  • Large entourage and significant gold injections into the Egyptian economy causing gold devaluation.
• Monopolized trade between North Africa and the interior, increasing Mali's wealth and trade network growth.

Additional Resources

• Encouragement to watch more unit 2 videos and access the AP World review guide for comprehensive study materials.