Question

Read the list and answer the question. economy of west african empires the empires of ghana, mali, and songhai thrived on the wealth of gold. cities were established for trade of gold and salt. timbuktu became an economic and cultural center.

which conclusion is best supported by the list?

a. african rulers limited the manufacture of finished goods.
b. trans-saharan trade routes helped maintain regional commerce.
c. african rulers limited trade with overseas nations.
d. trans-saharan trade routes were controlled by nomadic warlords.

Answer 1

Option B, 'trans-Saharan trade routes helped maintain regional commerce,' best supported by the listed fact, as these routes were crucial in the economic prosperity of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, indicated by the widespread trade of gold and other commodities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The empires of West African, specifically Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, thrived economically due to the trade of commodities like gold and salt across the trans-Saharan trade routes. These routes were critical for the flow of goods and cultural exchanges, connecting West Africa to the Mediterranean, Europe, and beyond. For instance, Timbuktu became an economic and cultural hub, reflecting the prosperity that these trade networks brought to the region. Conclusively, considering these trade dynamics, we find that b. trans-Saharan trade routes helped maintain regional commerce is the best-supported conclusion from the given list.

The conclusion of the empires' prosperous economy driven by trans-Saharan trade is further reinforced by the use of gold from West Africa to mint European coins, indicating the cross-continental impact of this trade. Additionally, the empires' connection to the global economy was not just limited to gold; they also exported ivory, enslaved people, and other goods, further highlighting the importance of these trade routes in sustaining regional commerce.