Economy: A (Megan Thurow)
Over the course of the Ghana Empire’s reign, they became the center of trade. Manypeople traveled to Ghana to trade because the empire offered protection iftaxes were paid. To earn money in the cities, little shops were set up sellinggoods. Some of the common jobs you would have seen during the Ghana Empire werecraftsmen, weavers, potters, and ironsmiths.
Ghana mostly traded with the “Arabic World” which refers to states and territoriesthat speak Arabic and the northern kingdoms. The Ghana Empire mostly traded natural goods such as gold, ivory, and copper other than some jewelry and leather goods. The early African empire used the money they earned from trading to build up their armies. To increase trade, the empire introduced the use of the camel for travel. From 200-1000 AD, the Ghana Empire experienced it’s “Golden Age.”
If I were to grade the Ghana Empire on their economy I would give them an A. I would give them this grade because they became the center of trade and were one of their chest empires in gold. Also, the money they earned from trade and the selling of goods wasn't wasted.
Ghana mostly traded with the “Arabic World” which refers to states and territoriesthat speak Arabic and the northern kingdoms. The Ghana Empire mostly traded natural goods such as gold, ivory, and copper other than some jewelry and leather goods. The early African empire used the money they earned from trading to build up their armies. To increase trade, the empire introduced the use of the camel for travel. From 200-1000 AD, the Ghana Empire experienced it’s “Golden Age.”
If I were to grade the Ghana Empire on their economy I would give them an A. I would give them this grade because they became the center of trade and were one of their chest empires in gold. Also, the money they earned from trade and the selling of goods wasn't wasted.
Society: B- (Marguerite Duemler)
The Ghana Empire society was very systematically based with a big emphasis on kin rather than equality for all. The successors of leaders were often family or someone with senority, so there wasn't much of a chance for commoners to improve their status. A king ruled the people with the advice of his ministers and he held a court of sorts to handle his people's disputes. The governors controlled certain areas of the empire with civil servants beneath them. There was a distinct break between the wealthy and the poor which could be seen through their homes. The wealthy had good solidly built homes, where as the poor had homes built with things less stable, like mud.
There were slaves in ancient Ghana. This was a result of trading with Northern Africa. Many civilizations would have captives from war that they would trade as slaves to Ghana in exchange for goods. The slaves counted for one third of the population and were generally treated well. They could probably be compared to a servant without wages. They were fed, clothed, and didn't have cruel treatment from their owners. If a slave was mistreated the owner would have to answer to the law (king). The slaves weren't tightly restricted. They could marry free people and could be adopted by a free person. When [free] women couldn't bear children they would often buy a slave to have kin for them or adopt a slave. So, slaves did have a chance to improve their lot in life, although the fact that they were slaves was never completely forgotten.
I gave them a B- because they had a society that functioned decently and they treated their slaves well (particularly in comparison to the treatment of slaves before the Civil War in the U.S.). I lowered their grade because the common people didn't have a chance to better their lives although the slaves could do that to an extent. The empire also ran their society with heirs taking over their father's place instead of using possibly more worthy candidates.
There were slaves in ancient Ghana. This was a result of trading with Northern Africa. Many civilizations would have captives from war that they would trade as slaves to Ghana in exchange for goods. The slaves counted for one third of the population and were generally treated well. They could probably be compared to a servant without wages. They were fed, clothed, and didn't have cruel treatment from their owners. If a slave was mistreated the owner would have to answer to the law (king). The slaves weren't tightly restricted. They could marry free people and could be adopted by a free person. When [free] women couldn't bear children they would often buy a slave to have kin for them or adopt a slave. So, slaves did have a chance to improve their lot in life, although the fact that they were slaves was never completely forgotten.
I gave them a B- because they had a society that functioned decently and they treated their slaves well (particularly in comparison to the treatment of slaves before the Civil War in the U.S.). I lowered their grade because the common people didn't have a chance to better their lives although the slaves could do that to an extent. The empire also ran their society with heirs taking over their father's place instead of using possibly more worthy candidates.
Ghana’s religion was mainly Islamic. The leaders of Ghana favored the Muslims, and so the primary religion of Ghana became Islam. Since the main religion of Ghana became Islamic, the difficulties that were faced were most likely dealt with in a peaceful way. This is important because it would save them from wars and problems with surrounding empires. Their religious views have a positive effect because it unites the people because they have similar beliefs.
The leaders, however were rarely tolerant of other religions. This would affect them in a negative way, because there would be rebellions wars about religious tolerance, like the Mughals because they were not tolerant and were soon after conquered. Due to their intolerance in religion, it would make people who are of a different religion not want to join the empire, and not wanting to surrender and change their religion.
I gave them a C+ in religion because they united their people together, and they faced difficulties in a peaceful way, but they were intolerant to most religions and tolerance is the most important quality to a successful empire.
The leaders, however were rarely tolerant of other religions. This would affect them in a negative way, because there would be rebellions wars about religious tolerance, like the Mughals because they were not tolerant and were soon after conquered. Due to their intolerance in religion, it would make people who are of a different religion not want to join the empire, and not wanting to surrender and change their religion.
I gave them a C+ in religion because they united their people together, and they faced difficulties in a peaceful way, but they were intolerant to most religions and tolerance is the most important quality to a successful empire.
Arts and Architecture: A (Lauren Koetje)
The arts that the ancient Ghana Empire is most famous for is their work with cotton, leather, and iron. Ghanaians made different patterns on cotton cloth by using mud. They would make designs on already died cloth and bake the cloth in the sun to create the design. The Ghanaians used these cloths as clothing and decorations. Moroccan Leather is another thing that the people of Ghana created. Moroccan Leather is leather made of goatskin that is traditionally died red. Another art the Ghanaians were famous for was their skill in working iron. To fight off neighbors, who used weapons made of wood, stone, and animal bones, Ghanaians would use their iron tipped spears and other weapons made with iron.
I gave Ghana an ‘A’ in arts and architecture because of their creativity. Ghanaians were very successful when creating cloths and were creative when doing so. They also had to be creative when making weapons. For their time period, metal weapons were very rare. In order to design the weapon and then make it, Ghanaians had to be creative. Overall Ghana was genuinely successful in their arts.
Technology: ? (Aubrey Herrema)
Government: ? (Aubrey Herrema)
Overview:
Overall, the grade that I would give the Ghana Empire would be a ‘B’. They had a very strong economy and also were successful in the arts. Ghana’s economy ran mainly off of gold and salt and money earned was not wasted. In the arts, Ghana was very prosperous because of their cloth making abilities and iron smiting.
The reason for my marking Ghana down on their grad was because of their intolerance. Ghanaians were very intolerant to people of religions other than their own. This is crucial to an empire because tolerance is the key to and empire’s success. Another reason I marked down Ghana’s grade was because of the Ghanaian people’s inability to move up in society. Also, the throne was run by heirs, permitting anyone with potential to ever become ruler.
Sources:
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the religion grade was a little bit too high. I say this because a C is a average grade but the grade was a c+. I don't think that they were above average because they weren't tolerant of other religions besides Muslim.
ReplyDeleteMost people were Muslim but others that weren't probably felt upset and a rebellion could have broken out from the no tolerance toward their religion. That was a negative part to the religion of their empire and i think they should have received a little below average. I think a C- or a D+ would be a good grade for the Ghana religion.
Not a big fan of the white - but otherwise good. You need a deeper rationale on your section.
ReplyDelete