Mansa Musa and the Mali Empire

What event caused the Cairo economy to crash?

• The Atlantic slave trade

• The distribution of vast amounts of gold

• The rise of rival empires

• The entourage of African soldiers

Which empire had the military, economic, and political strength comparable to the Mali Empire?

• Greece

• Rome

• China

• Egypt

What inspired Mansa Musa to kickstart a golden age for Timbuktu?

• The rise of rival empires

• His pilgrimage to Mecca

• The entourage of African soldiers

• The Atlantic slave trade

What did Mansa Musa invest the resources of his empire into?

• Expanding the empire's territory

• Exploring new trade routes

• Building a vast army

• Cultivating the Islamic scholarly tradition

What happened to the Mali Empire after Mansa Musa's death?

• It was conquered by rival empires

• It experienced economic decline

• It continued to flourish under the rule of his sons

• It became a center of trade

Why has Mansa Musa largely disappeared from the Western historical imagination?

• The decline of the Mali Empire

• Lack of written records

• Lack of interest from historians

• Colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade

What impact did colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade have on the perception of Africa and Africans?

• It portrayed Africa as a wealthy and powerful continent

• It led to increased trade between Africa and Europe

• It highlighted the cultural achievements of Africa

• It marginalized Africa and Africans in European discourse

What can we learn from Mansa Musa's story and the history of the Mali Empire?

• The power and wealth of African rulers

• The decline of empires over time

• The influence of Islam in West Africa

• The importance of gold in medieval economies

What does the author suggest we unthink and unlearn in order to understand African history?

• The impact of colonialism on African culture

• The influence of Christianity in Africa

• The importance of European historical narratives

• Our received wisdom of what Africa is and isn't

How would a black Muslim ruler like Mansa Musa consider himself?

• Second to none

• Less powerful than African tribal leaders

• Inferior to European rulers

• Equal to Chinese emperors