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Difficulty: MediumWest African Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai)

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

"The negroes possess some admirable qualities. They are seldom unjust, and have a greater abhorrence of injustice than any other people. Their sultan shows no mercy to anyone who is guilty of the least act of it. There is complete security in their country. Neither traveler nor inhabitant in it has anything to fear from robbers or men of violence."
—Ibn Battuta, Travels in Asia and Africa 1325–1354

Based on the passage and your knowledge of West African kingdoms, which of the following best explains how the political environment described by Ibn Battuta contributed to the prosperity of the Mali Empire?

  1. The enforcement of strict justice and maintenance of public safety created a secure environment that attracted and protected trans-Saharan merchants.Answer
  2. B
    The empire relied on administrative and military structures pioneered during the later Songhai Empire to control trade.
  3. C
    The administration imposed a single, uniform language and culture across all of West, Southern, and East Africa to streamline commerce.
  4. D
    The leaders abandoned complex pre-colonial belief systems for simplistic animism to accommodate the foreign merchants' simple worldviews.

Answer

The correct answer explains that Mali's enforcement of strict justice and public safety fostered a secure environment that protected trans-Saharan merchants.
The correct answer accurately links the security and legal order described in the text to the economic success of the Mali Empire. Trans-Saharan trade routes were vital to Mali's wealth, and the safety of merchants and goods encouraged continued commerce with North African and Middle Eastern traders.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the primary source excerpt from Ibn Battuta.
The excerpt highlights the high value placed on justice, the lack of mercy for unjust acts, and the absolute security and safety from violence or robbery in the empire.
Understanding the core focus of the source is necessary to connect it to the broader historical context of Mali.
2
Relate the political stability and security to West African trade dynamics.
Safe trade routes were crucial for trans-Saharan commerce, which carried high-value goods like gold and salt.
Merchants were more likely to travel to and trade with empires that could guarantee the safety of their goods and persons.
3
Evaluate the choices and eliminate incorrect options.
The option concerning public safety and trans-Saharan merchants matches the text, whereas other options conflate timelines, homogenize different African regions, or mischaracterize pre-colonial religious beliefs.
This confirms the correct choice based on historical accuracy and direct textual evidence.

Key Concept

The relationship between political administration, security, and trans-Saharan trade in the Mali Empire.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

West African Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai)

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