Three factors that led to the decline of Mali Empire History JSS 2 Second Term Lesson Notes
Subject: History
Class: JSS 2
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 1
Topic: Factors that led to the decline of Mali Empire
Sub-topic: Weak Succession, Economic Decline, External Invasions
Duration: 1 hour
Entry Behaviour: Students are expected to recall key points from the previous lesson on the Mali Empire’s golden age under Mansa Musa.
Key Words: Mali Empire, Mansa Musa, Weak Succession, Economic Decline, External Invasions.
Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify and explain the factors that contributed to the decline of the Mali Empire.
- Understand the consequences of weak succession, economic decline, and external invasions on the empire.
Embedded Core Skills: Critical thinking, analysis, communication.
Learning Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers.
- Visual aids – maps, images of Mali Empire.
- Handouts with key points.
- Writing materials for students.
- Projector (optional).
- Weak Succession:
- Lack of strong leadership.
- Civil strife and internal conflicts.
- Ineffective rulers.
- Economic Decline:
- Gold depletion and trade shifts.
- Decline in tax revenue.
- Impact on Mali’s economic foundation.
- External Invasions:
- Nomadic invasions (Tuaregs, Berbers).
- Rivalry with Songhai Empire.
- European powers challenging trans-Saharan trade.
- Weak Succession:
- Lack of Strong Leadership: After the reign of Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire faced challenges related to weak successors.
- Civil Strife: Disputes over the throne led to internal conflicts, weakening the empire’s stability.
- Ineffective Rulers: Some rulers lacked the capability to address external threats and maintain order.
- Economic Decline:
- Gold Depletion: Overreliance on gold trade led to the depletion of gold mines, impacting the empire’s economic foundation.
- Trade Routes Shift: Shifts in trans-Saharan trade routes reduced Mali’s economic importance.
- Decline in Tax Revenue: Reduced trade and economic activities resulted in a decline in tax revenue for the empire.
- External Invasions:
- Nomadic Invasions: Mali faced invasions from nomadic groups, such as the Tuaregs and Berbers, destabilizing the region.
- Songhai Empire Rivalry: The rise of the Songhai Empire led to conflicts over territory and resources.
- Portuguese Influence: European powers, including the Portuguese, sought direct trade routes, challenging Mali’s control over trans-Saharan trade.
Understanding these factors will help you grasp the complexities that contributed to the decline of the Mali Empire.
- After the reign of Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire faced challenges related to weak ________. a. Agriculture b. Leadership c. Trade d. Religion
- Disputes over the throne led to internal ________, weakening the empire’s stability. a. Trade b. Conflicts c. Diplomacy d. Alliances
- Some rulers lacked the capability to address external threats and maintain ________. a. Order b. Wealth c. Religion d. Power
- Overreliance on gold trade led to the depletion of ________, impacting the empire’s economic foundation. a. Salt mines b. Diamond mines c. Gold mines d. Copper mines
- Shifts in trans-Saharan trade routes reduced Mali’s economic ________. a. Prosperity b. Importance c. Stability d. Diversity
- Reduced trade and economic activities resulted in a decline in ________ for the empire. a. Population b. Tax revenue c. Agriculture d. Infrastructure
- Mali faced invasions from nomadic groups, such as the ________ and Berbers, destabilizing the region. a. Tuaregs b. Ashanti c. Fulani d. Igbo
- The rise of the ________ Empire led to conflicts over territory and resources. a. Ghana b. Mali c. Songhai d. Axum
- European powers, including the Portuguese, sought direct trade routes, challenging Mali’s control over ________ trade. a. Mediterranean b. Indian Ocean c. Trans-Saharan d. Atlantic
- Weak succession in Mali resulted in disputes over the ________, leading to internal conflicts. a. Gold mines b. Throne c. Trade routes d. Religious practices
- The lack of strong leadership after Mansa Musa’s reign contributed to internal ________. a. Stability b. Prosperity c. Trade d. Unity
- Nomadic invasions, such as those from the Tuaregs and Berbers, destabilized the ________. a. Economy b. Religion c. Region d. Leadership
- The decline in tax revenue for the Mali Empire was a result of reduced ________ and economic activities. a. Agriculture b. Leadership c. Trade d. Religion
- The rivalry with the Songhai Empire led to conflicts over territory and ________. a. Agriculture b. Wealth c. Resources d. Religion
- European powers challenging Mali’s control over trans-Saharan trade influenced the decline of ________. a. Ghana Empire b. Mali Empire c. Songhai Empire d. Axum Empire
Presentation:
- Step 1: Teacher revises the previous topic on Mansa Musa’s reign and achievements in Mali Empire.
- Step 2: Teacher introduces the new topic by providing an overview of the three factors leading to Mali Empire’s decline.
- Step 3:
- Teacher’s Activities:
- Engage students with questions to assess prior knowledge.
- Present key points on the whiteboard and discuss weak succession, economic decline, and external invasions.
- Learners’ Activities:
- Take notes.
- Participate in class discussions.
- Ask questions for clarification.
- Teacher’s Activities:
Assessment:
- Students will be assessed through class participation, note-taking, and responses to questions.
Ten Evaluation Questions:
- What are the consequences of weak succession?
- How did the depletion of gold mines affect Mali’s economy?
- Name two factors contributing to Mali’s economic decline.
- Mention a nomadic group involved in external invasions.
- How did European powers challenge Mali’s control over trade?
- What is the significance of the rivalry with the Songhai Empire?
- Explain one consequence of ineffective rulers in Mali.
- Describe the impact of trade route shifts on Mali’s economy.
- Why is understanding weak succession important in history?
- How did civil strife contribute to the decline of Mali Empire?
Conclusion:
- The teacher goes round to mark and addresses any questions or misconceptions. Reinforces the importance of understanding these factors in the historical context of Mali Empire’s decline.
