a. List any three articles of trade exported to North Africa from Western Sudan during the trans-Saharan trade. b. Highlight any four factors that contribut...

Answer Details

a. Three articles of trade exported to North Africa from Western Sudan during the trans-Saharan trade were:

1. Gold: Gold was one of the most important commodities traded from West Africa to North Africa during the trans-Saharan trade. The region had abundant gold deposits, which were highly valued by North African traders.
2. Salt: Salt was another important commodity traded during the trans-Saharan trade. North African traders needed salt for food preservation and other purposes, and the West African region had abundant salt deposits.
3. Slaves: Unfortunately, the trans-Saharan trade also involved the trade of slaves from West Africa to North Africa. This was a significant part of the trade, and many West Africans were captured and sold into slavery in North Africa.

b. Four factors that contributed to the decline of the trans-Saharan trade were:

1. The rise of sea trade: The development of sea trade routes in the 15th century made it easier and cheaper to trade with Europe and other regions, reducing the demand for trans-Saharan trade.
2. Political instability: The region was marked by political instability and warfare, which disrupted trade routes and made them unsafe for traders.
3. Decline of West African empires: The decline of West African empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai also contributed to the decline of the trans-Saharan trade. These empires had played a key role in facilitating trade in the region, and their decline led to a disruption in trade routes.
4. Technological advances: The development of new technologies such as firearms and other weapons meant that West African traders were at a disadvantage when trading with North African traders, who had access to these new technologies.

Overall, the decline of the trans-Saharan trade was influenced by a combination of factors including the rise of sea trade, political instability, the decline of West African empires, and technological advances.