Question

When the king was not busy enforcing his power among the people, he was spreading it internationally through trade. At its peak, Ghana was chiefly bartering gold, ivory, and slaves for salt from Arabs and horses, cloth, swords, and books from North Africans and European.

As salt was worth its weight in gold, and gold was so abundant in the kingdom, Ghana achieved much of its wealth through trade with the Arabs. Islamic merchants traveled over two months through the desert to reach Ghana and "do business." They were taxed for both what they brought in and what they took out.

With this system, it is no wonder that Ghana got rich quickly. The wealth that the kingdom acquired did not, however, serve in its favor forever. Competition from other states in the gold trade eventually took its toll.

Economic: (pull from reading the main ways individuals and the government made money in Ghana)

Items Produced in Ghana:
Tribute provided to government:
Did Government collect taxes: Yes or No; from whom?
Currency:

a) Gold, Ivory
b) Swords, Books
c) Salt, Horses
d) Slaves, Cloth

Answer 1

The economic activities that sustained the ancient Ghana Empire's wealth included the trade of gold, ivory, and slaves. The government collected taxes on goods brought in and taken out, using gold as a primary currency in high-value trade operations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Economic Activities in the Ghana Empire

The ancient Ghana Empire flourished due to several economic activities that generated wealth. At the core of these activities was the control over trade. One of the most significant commodities traded by Ghana was gold, which was abundant in the region and served as a critical element in international trade, particularly with Arab merchants and others involved in the trans-Saharan trade networks. In addition to gold, Ghana was involved in bartering ivory and slaves, indicative of its variety in economic resources.

The government of the Ghana Empire also collected taxes from tradesmen, levied on the goods they brought into the kingdom and those they took out. This sophisticated tax system enabled Ghana to accumulate immense wealth rapidly. The primary currency for high-value transactions was indeed gold, which flowed through the empire in large quantities, affecting Islamic and European economies. However, commodities such as ivory and captives were also significant in trade and tribute, enriching both the state and individuals engaged in commerce.

In summary, key items produced in Ghana included gold, ivory, and slaves, and the government solidly collected taxes from trading activities. As such, the currency elements used in trade were gold and valuable goods like ivory. Taxes came from various traders, but especially from those passing through the empire's territories.