History - Junior Secondary 3 - Trade routes in the Trans-Saharan trade

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 3 and 4

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: History

TOPIC:  Trade routes in the Trans-Saharan trade

Effects of the Trans-Saharan trade

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1. ) Discuss each of the trade routes in the Trans-Saharan trade
2. ) Enumerate the effects of the Trans-Saharan trade

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Basic History for Junior Secondary Schools 3 by Ijeoma E.O

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

WEEK 3

NOTE

TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE

Trade Routes During Trans-Saharan Trade

The Trans-Saharan trade was conducted through an intricate network of routes that connected West African kingdoms with North African and Mediterranean regions, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas across the Sahara Desert. Notable trade routes included the Borno-Tripoli, Kanem Bornu-Sudan, and Kano-Fezzan routes.

1. Major Trade Routes

• Borno-Tripoli Route: This route was one of the most significant Trans-Saharan trade paths, linking the Borno Empire in West Africa to the city of Tripoli on the Mediterranean coast in modern-day Libya. It facilitated trade in horses, textiles, and copper from North Africa in exchange for West African goods like gold and slaves.
• Kanem Bornu-Sudan Route: Originating in the Kanem-Bornu Empire, this route extended eastward towards Sudan. It allowed for the movement of goods like ostrich feathers, ivory, and other resources towards the Nile region, while connecting with routes that facilitated trade with Egypt and the broader Red Sea area.
• Kano-Fezzan Route: This route connected Kano, a major trading city in the Hausa region, with the Fezzan region in modern-day Libya. Kano was known for its production of textiles, leather goods, and metalwork, which were highly valued in the Fezzan and other North African regions. Traders transported salt, copper, and horses along this route to supply the demands of West African kingdoms.

2. Key Trading Centers and Cities

• Timbuktu: Known for its wealth and cultural influence, Timbuktu was a vital hub in the trade of gold and salt, linking Saharan routes with the Western Sudan region. It became a major center for Islamic scholarship and trade.
• Gao and Jenne: These cities served as important stops for traders traveling between North and West Africa. Gao and Jenne facilitated the exchange of goods like salt, textiles, and spices, supporting the thriving trade networks.
• Katsina and Agadez: Katsina, in the Hausa region, was a prominent trading center, especially for crafts, ironwork, and textiles. Agadez, located in modern-day Niger, served as a crucial oasis city, providing rest and supplies for traders crossing the Sahara.

3. Trade Logistics

• Caravan System: Trade caravans were essential for crossing the Sahara, typically composed of hundreds of camels, which could endure the harsh desert conditions. The caravans moved in large groups, often under the guidance of experienced guides, to ensure safety and efficient travel.
• Seasonal Timing: Trade was often conducted seasonally to avoid the extreme summer heat of the desert. The cooler months were preferred, allowing for longer and safer journeys.
• Oasis Stops: Key oases along the routes, such as those in Bilma and Taghaza, were essential for rehydrating camels and restocking supplies. Bilma, for example, was a major supplier of salt, a highly valued commodity in West African trade

EVALUATION:

1. Describe the significance of the Borno-Tripoli, Kanem Bornu-Sudan, and Kano-Fezzan trade routes in the Trans-Saharan trade network.
2. What role did cities like Timbuktu, Gao, and Katsina play in supporting trade across the Sahara?
3. Explain the function of oases like Bilma and Taghaza in the logistics of Trans-Saharan trade.
4. How did the caravan system impact the movement and safety of goods and people across the Sahara?
5. In what ways did the Trans-Saharan trade routes contribute to cultural and technological exchanges between North and West Africa?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively

WEEK 4

NOTE

EFFECTS OF THE TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE

The effects of the Trans-Saharan trade were significant and transformative, impacting the economies, cultures, politics, and societies of North and West Africa in several key ways. Below is an expanded outline of the primary effects:

1. Economic Growth and Urbanization

• Wealth Accumulation: The trade brought immense wealth to West African empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, as well as to North African trading centers. Commodities like gold, salt, and ivory were highly sought after, creating a steady source of income and wealth for traders, empires, and local economies along the routes.
• Development of Cities: Cities such as Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenne grew into major trading hubs, attracting merchants, scholars, and artisans. The prosperity from trade facilitated urban development, contributing to infrastructure improvements and the establishment of market centers, mosques, and learning institutions.
• Growth of Craft Industries: The demand for items such as textiles, leatherwork, and metal goods boosted local industries, especially in Hausa city-states like Kano and Katsina. Craftsmanship became a respected skill, and these products were traded along the Trans-Saharan routes, expanding local economies.

2. Cultural and Religious Exchange

• Spread of Islam: The Trans-Saharan trade was a primary avenue for the spread of Islam into West Africa. As Muslim traders and scholars from North Africa engaged in commerce with West African societies, they brought religious teachings, which gradually influenced the beliefs of local populations, especially in urban areas.
• Formation of Islamic Learning Centers: Islamic scholars traveling along these trade routes helped establish learning centers in cities such as Timbuktu, which became renowned for its Islamic universities and libraries. These centers attracted students from across the Islamic world, facilitating intellectual exchange and the spread of Islamic culture and science.
• Cultural Syncretism: The mingling of North African Islamic culture with West African traditional beliefs and customs led to a blending of religious practices, art, music, and architecture. This fusion can be seen in the unique styles of West African mosques, textiles, and artworks that incorporate both Islamic and indigenous elements.

3. Political Development and State Formation

• Strengthening of Empires: The wealth generated from trade allowed West African empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to finance armies, expand territories, and exert greater control over their regions. Leaders such as Mansa Musa of Mali used wealth from the gold trade to increase political influence and maintain stability.
• Centralized Authority: As trade flourished, powerful kingdoms and city-states developed centralized administrations to control trade routes, collect taxes, and ensure the security of merchants. This organization strengthened the political structures of these empires, making them prominent centers of power.
• Diplomatic Connections: Wealthy rulers of West African empires established diplomatic relations with North African and Middle Eastern states, furthering political alliances. For example, rulers from the Mali Empire formed alliances with Muslim rulers in North Africa, facilitating better trade conditions and religious ties.

4. Social Stratification and Slavery

• Rise of Social Hierarchies: As wealth from trade increased, social stratification became more pronounced. Merchants, local elites, and rulers enjoyed greater status and privileges, often marked by luxurious lifestyles. This created distinct social classes and hierarchies within West African societies.
• Expansion of the Slave Trade: Enslaved people became a significant part of the trade, as they were highly sought after in North Africa and other regions. West African kingdoms participated in the enslavement and trade of prisoners of war or those captured during raids, which created a lasting impact on the population dynamics and social structures within the region.
• Creation of a Merchant Class: Merchants gained influence as intermediaries in trade, managing transactions, and developing networks with other traders. This merchant class often became wealthy and politically influential, affecting the power dynamics within their communities.

5. Long-Term Regional Impacts

• Economic Dependency: Many West African kingdoms grew economically dependent on trade routes, which made them vulnerable to fluctuations in demand for goods like gold and salt. This dependency could weaken local economies if trade routes changed or demand decreased.
• Environmental Degradation: The heavy movement along certain trade routes and the demand for resources like wood, water, and fodder for camels led to environmental stress in some areas, particularly near oases and major caravan stops.
• Impact on Language and Literacy: Trade fostered linguistic exchange, with languages like Arabic spreading into West Africa. Arabic became a language of trade, scholarship, and governance in some regions, and it contributed to the development of literacy among those engaged in commerce and administration.

EVALUATION:

1. How did the wealth generated from the Trans-Saharan trade contribute to the growth of major cities like Timbuktu and Gao?
2. In what ways did the Trans-Saharan trade influence the spread of Islam and the establishment of learning centers in West Africa?
3. Describe how the Trans-Saharan trade impacted political power and structure in West African empires such as Mali and Songhai.
4. Explain how the trade routes contributed to the development of social hierarchies and the rise of a merchant class in West Africa.
5. What were some of the environmental and economic challenges that arose due to the Trans-Saharan trade routes?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively