SOL Prep

The Middle Ages

Virginia SOL WHI.8

Describe the sub-Saharan civilizations of Ghana and Mali in medieval Africa, including their economic and cultural developments.

Study WHI.8 with SOL PrepBack to Grade 9 - World History and Geography to 1500 A.D

What students need to be able to do

  • Describe the Niger River and the relationship of vegetation zones of forest, savannah, and desert to trade in gold, salt, food, and enslaved people, as well as the growth of the Ghana and Mali empires.
  • Analyze the importance of family, labor specialization, and regional commerce in the development of states and cities in West Africa.
  • Describe the role of the trans-Saharan caravan trade in the changing religious and cultural characteristics of West Africa and the influence of Islam.
  • Trace the growth of the Arabic language in government, trade, and Islam.
  • Describe the importance of written and oral traditions in the transmission of African history and culture.