2. Early Societies in West
Africa

3. Early Societies in West
Africa

5. 12.2 Geography &
Trade

7. Sarah
Desert

8. Sarah
Desert

10. Sahel

11. Sahel

12. Sahel
short grasses, small trees,
small brush grows in the
sahel.

14. Savanna

15. Savanna

16. Savanna
tall grasses, trees and grains
grow in the savanna

18. Forest

19. Forest

20. Forest
Trees, shrubs, oil palms,
yams, kola trees, mahogany,
teak trees grow in the West
African forests.

22. 2. How did geography affect trade in
West Africa?

23. 2. How did geography affect trade in
West Africa?
• 2. Different types of food grow in
different zones. People had to trade to
get things they could not produce
themselves.

25. 12.3 Communities &
Villages

27. 2. What are some reasons that family-based
communities joined together to form
villages?

28. 2. What are some reasons that family-based
communities joined together to form
villages?
• Extended families formed villages to
control flooding, to mine for iron or
gold, or for protection.

30. 3. Who made decisions in a family-based
community?

31. 3. Who made decisions in a family-based
community?
• One of the male elders probably made
decisions for the community.

33. 12.4 Development of
Towns & Cities

35. 2. How did the ability to work with iron affect food
productions and the types of jobs that villagers performed
in West Africa?

36. 2. How did the ability to work with iron affect food
productions and the types of jobs that villagers performed
in West Africa?
• With iron tools, farmers cleared land
and grew crops more efficiently.
Abundant food supported larger
villages where more people were free to
take up other jobs such as weaving,
metal-working, and pottery.

38. 3. How did the location along trade routes affect
development of cities?

39. 3. How did the location along trade routes affect
development of cities?
• Villages located along rivers or other
trade routes became trading sites. By
taxing traders, villages became wealthy.
Wealth led to an increase in population,
and villages often grew into towns and
cities.

41. 4. How did the location of Jenne-jeno lead
to its becoming a large, busy city?

42. 4. How did the location of Jenne-jeno lead
to its becoming a large, busy city?
• Jenne-jeno was located at the
intersection of the Niger and Bani
Rivers. This ideal location for farming,
fishing, and trade allowed it to become
a large city.

44. 12.5 The Rise of
Kingdoms & Empires

46. 2. How were trading cities able to develop
into kingdoms?

47. 2. How were trading cities able to develop
into kingdoms?
• Rulers of some trading cities taxed
goods that were bought and sold in
their cities. They used this wealth to
raise large armies that conquered
nearby trading areas.

49. 3. List one advantage and one
disadvantage of being a part of
a kingdom?

50. 3. List one advantage and one
disadvantage of being a part of
a kingdom?
• Advantages: Armies made sure trade
routes were safe. They kept out foreign
armies and raiders. Wars between small
cities ended.
• Disadvantages: People living in
conquered areas had to pay tribute, and
the men had to serve in the army.