Do not underestimate the importance of the Trans-Saharan trade route. On this route there are diasporic communities, camel saddles (yea, those are important), Ibn Battuta, Mansa Musa, Lion King, Mamluks the Great Defeaters of the Mongols, spread and syncretism of Islam. But, this route will get completely overshadowed quickly by the Atlantic system (those darn Europeans) and the Indian Ocean.

Remember, the goods being trade on this route are super simple: salt, gold and slaves. This region will become overwhelmingly Islamic and Timbuktu is the major trade city to know and love. It will also become the center of knowledge and culture of Sub-Saharan Africa for centuries!

What you should be able to explain about this topic is:

(TEC) Explain the causes and effects of the growth of trans-Saharan trade.

• The growth of interregional trade was encouraged by innovations in existing transportation technologies.

• Improved transportation technologies and commercial practices led to an increased volume of trade and expanded the geographical range of existing trade routes, including the trans-Saharan trade network.

• Technologies encouraging interregional trade:

  • Camel saddle

  • Caravans

(GOV) Explain how the expansion of empires influenced trade and communication over time.

• The expansion of empires—including Mali in West Africa–facilitated Afro-Eurasian trade and communication as new people were drawn into the economies and trade networks.