SAT II World History : Africa from 500 C.E. to 1500 C.E.

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Other Global Regions

Which of these African territories or kingdoms did not become Islamic during this time period? 

Possible Answers:

Tunisia

Songhai

Mali

Ethiopia

Egypt

Correct answer:

Ethiopia

Explanation:

All of these regions and kingdoms became Islamic during the time period from 500 C.E. to 1500 C.E. except for the Kingdom of Ethiopia, which remained a stronghold of Christianity and continues to be predominantly Christian to this day.

Example Question #2 : Other Global Regions

How did the climate and terrain of the Kindgom of Ghana differ from the climate and terrain of Nubia, Ethiopia, and Egypt? 

Possible Answers:

The Ghanian terrain was primarily rainforest.

The Ghanian terrain was primarily grassland. 

The Ghanian terrain was primarily desert. 

The Ghanian climate was cooler.

The Ghanian terrain was primarily tundra. 

Correct answer:

The Ghanian terrain was primarily rainforest.

Explanation:

The Kingdom of Ghana existed in the belt of West Africa that is rainforest. This is different to the rest of Africa which is either grassland (savannah) or desert. 

Example Question #3 : Other Global Regions

The fall of the Ghanian Kingdom led to the rise of __________.

Possible Answers:

The Mali Empire

The Zulu Empire

The Khmer Empire

The Kush Empire

The Boer Republic

Correct answer:

The Mali Empire

Explanation:

The Kingdom of Ghana collapsed around the thirteenth century due to weakening administration and conflict with surrounding peoples. In its wake a number of new kingdoms arose, but none more prominent than the Mali Empire. Centered around the capital of Timbuktu the Mali Empire grew rapidly in wealth, land and prominence. The most famous King of the Mali Empire was Mansa Musa who famously made a pilgramage to Mecca and gave away so much gold that he crumbled the Egyptian economy. 

Example Question #1 : Africa From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

The fall of Mali led to the rise of __________.

Possible Answers:

The Boer Republic

The Songhai Empire

The Arabian Empire

The Kush Empire

The Algerian Kingdom

Correct answer:

The Songhai Empire

Explanation:

Mali's time as a hegemonic power in West Africa was relatively short lived and their fall from grace coincided with the rise of the Songhai Empire. The Songhai Empire was centered around its capital in Gao. The height of the Songhai Empire was the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The most famous rulers of Songhai were Askia and Sunni Ali. 

Example Question #4 : Other Global Regions

The African Empires of Mali and Songhai were predominantly __________ kingdoms.

Possible Answers:

Islamic

Christian

None of these answers; they believed in a unique African religion based on ancestor worship. 

Buddhist

Jewish

Correct answer:

Islamic

Explanation:

The West African Kingdoms of Mali and Songhai were Islamic Kingdoms. The Kings of both Empires made pilgrimages to Mecca, and Islamic law was enforced within their territories.

Example Question #5 : Other Global Regions

Mansa Musa, the famous African king who flooded Egypt with gold, was the ruler of __________.

Possible Answers:

Mali

Morocco

Songhai

Congo

Algeria

Correct answer:

Mali

Explanation:

Mansa Musa was the ruler of Mali in the fourteenth century. He made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca, as all Muslims must do, and gave away so much gold during his time in Egypt that he crashed the Egyptian economy.

Example Question #6 : Other Global Regions

The Islamic faith became dominant in Sub-Saharan Africa largely as a result of __________.

Possible Answers:

missionary work

None of these answers is correct; Christianity became the dominant religion of Sub-Saharan Africa in this time period. 

intellectual curiosity 

caravan trade routes

military expansion 

Correct answer:

caravan trade routes

Explanation:

In the centuries following the death of the prophet Muhammad, the Islamic faith spread through Sub-Saharan Africa largely as a result of Muslim traders pushing their caravan routes further and further into the heart of Africa. The Kingdoms of Mali and Songhai (to provide two prominent examples) embraced Islam during this time period. 

Example Question #7 : Other Global Regions

The Moroccan man, Ibn Battuta, is most well known for __________.

Possible Answers:

his extensive traveling around the African continent and the rest of the known world

his efforts to introduce East Asians to North-African culture 

his efforts to bring Christianity to Sub-Saharan Africa

his efforts to introduce Europeans to North African culture 

his military conquests of North Africa for the Abbasid Caliphate 

Correct answer:

his extensive traveling around the African continent and the rest of the known world

Explanation:

Ibn Battuta lived during the fourteenth century. He is most widely known for his extensive travels throughout Africa and the rest of the known world. 

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