While during the medieval times in Europe, West Africa was going through a time of glory. There were 3 major kingdoms, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Salt and Gold were used in trade between Asia. Ghana was the first, when it fell, another empire rose. Mali was the second, when it fell, Songhai stepped up. The golden age ended after Songhai fell, it fell because of the Arquebus, the earliest gun ever used. It was terribly inaccurate, but the fire and the smoke was used to mainly scare off the enemy. |
Mali was the more famous, Mansa Musa was the king of Mali and a devoted Muslim. He built great cities such as Timbuktu, at that time, the city was one of the biggest trading posts. As the five pillars of Islam say, All Muslims must go on a hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Mansa Musa started his 9,390 km long trip in Timbuktu, traveling with him were 72,000 men, 12,000 of which are slaves, each carrying 4 pounds of gold. He also had 80 camels each carrying 50 to 300 pounds of gold. Mansa Musa was well known for giving out gold to the poor as well as building mosques and spreading the religion of Islam. In Cairo, he traded pounds of gold for souvenirs to remind him of that trip. He later died in 1337. He was succeeded by Maghan Musa. |
Europe had left the dark ages. They had become powerful, so powerful that they could even take down the African Empires. After taking all the gold, they converted the Africans into Christianity and traded them as slaves. These slaves would be shipped to the new world. the products from the new world would be shipped to Europe, then Europe would send Rum and manufactured goods to Africa. This is known famously as the Triangular Trade, or the Colombian Exchange. The Golden Age is over, and conquest for the new world begins. |