Question 1

During the thirteenth century, the Muslim states of North Africa played an important role in which of the following trade routes?

Accepted Answer

The trans-Saharan trade route was crucial for the exchange of goods between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean and Near East, with Muslim states in North Africa, such as the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, playing a central role in facilitating and controlling this trade.

Question 2

Which of the following constituted Mali's most significant export?

Accepted Answer

Mali's most significant export was gold, which played a crucial role in its wealth and influence during the medieval period, especially in the West African trading cities like Timbuktu.

Question 3

All of the following contributed to Mali's rise EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Mali's rise was significantly influenced by its control over and trade in gold and salt, not by the breeding of horses. The empire's wealth and power were largely due to its strategic position and control of trade routes, rather than advancements in animal husbandry.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the Malian state?

Accepted Answer

The emperor of Mali was indeed a powerful ruler who extracted tribute from surrounding chiefs, which helped to consolidate the empire's wealth and power, similar to the way the Mongols operated in Russia. This system of tribute was a key aspect of Mali's governance and contributed to its prosperity, especially during the reign of Mansa Musa, one of its most famous emperors.

Question 5

Mali's religious identity is best described by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Mali's rulers indeed followed Islam but were known for integrating local religious practices and beliefs into the royal court's traditions, reflecting a syncretic approach to religion that respected both Islamic teachings and local traditions.

Question 6

Which of the following is a reasonable conclusion to be drawn from the account of Mali written by Ibn Battuta in the Rihla?

Accepted Answer

Ibn Battuta's account in the Rihla highlights the integration of Islamic practices with local African traditions in Mali, indicating a blend of African and Islamic culture rather than a strict adherence to Islamic norms as practiced in other regions.

Question 7

The brass sculptures of the Yoruba-speaking peoples of the fourteenth century suggest which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The copper needed for the brass sculptures likely came from the south-central Sahara, showcasing the extensive trans-Saharan trade routes that facilitated the exchange of goods and materials across vast distances. This indicates the Yoruba-speaking peoples' participation in long-distance trade networks.

Question 8

Stories about Sunjata, the founder of the Malian state, most closely parallel the tales of which other imperial founder?

Accepted Answer

Both Sunjata and Chingis Khan are legendary figures who founded significant empires (Mali and Mongol, respectively) and have epic tales surrounding their rise to power and leadership.

Question 9

All of the following languages emerged as popular vernaculars EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Mongolian, while a significant language, did not emerge as a popular vernacular in the same way or scale as Arabic, French, and English, which spread widely due to colonialism, trade, and cultural influence.

Question 10

The use of Mongol military units resulted in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Mongol military units were organized to break down traditional kinship ties, fostering loyalty to the central authority of Chingis Khan rather than to individual commanders or kin groups.

Question 11

Explain the rise of Mongol power in Afroeurasia. What are some of the key factors that contributed to the success of Chingis Khan and his descendants? What types of historical evidence exist to support the reputation of the Mongols as brutal murderers, and what historical evidence complicates this perception?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Discuss some of the long-term effects of Mongol rule. How did the four Mongol khanates affect the economic, political, cultural, and religious structure of Afroeurasia?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Describe the growth of sea trade in Southeast Asia and Africa's eastern coast. What were some of the important effects of the growth of these seaports on the societies of Southeast Asia and East Africa, as well as their impact on the greater trans-hemispheric network of trade?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

What types of political entities dotted the European landscape in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries? What measures did rulers take to strengthen their power during this time period, and how did these political moves affect society as a whole?

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Explain the system of charters and corporate status developed in Europe during the thirteenth century. What were some of the key elements of this European arrangement? What were some of the significant economic, cultural, and religious consequences of this system?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

Explore the growth of the trans-Saharan trade network during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. How did trans-Saharan trade affect the regions of North Africa and Sudanic West Africa during this time period?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

In which ways was trans-hemispheric interaction during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries a continuation of previous centuries, and in which ways was it a departure? Which factors contributed to continuities as well as changes?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 14: Afroeurasia in the Era of Mongol Power, 1200-1350