The successful expansion of medieval Mali
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the different reasons for the growth of medieval Mali.
Key learning points
- Mali expanded throughout the Sahel during the 13th century.
- Mali used its superior army to conquer its neighbours, such as the Jolof in the west and the Songhai in the east.
- Mali had a successful governmental structure - it was a federation and the Mansa installed a farimba in each kingdom
- Mali’s wealth was built on its access to gold and salt.
- The Malian elite used gold to enrich themselves and enhance the empire.
Keywords
Trade - trade means the exchange of goods
Federation - a federation is a country made up of individual states that have control over their own local matters, but are controlled by a central government
Mansa - Mansa is the word used in the Mali Empire to refer to the king or emperor
Common misconception
Successful empires dominate and subjugate the conquered people within the empire in order to keep them loyal.
The Mali aristocracy adopted a successful 'hands off' approach to governance, allowing the different kingdoms within the empire a great degree of autonomy.
Teacher tip
At the start of the lesson, ask students to write a list of what they think are good characteristics of a successful empire. At the end of the lesson, get them to tick off any features that the Mali Empire embodied from their list.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
a holy journey
the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
the exchange of goods
Q2.In which year did Mansa Musa embark on the Hajj?
Q3.Which city turned into one of the most important centres of Islamic learning after the Hajj?
Q4.How many years did it take for the price of gold to return to its previous level in Egypt?
Q5.Who returned with Mansa Musa from the Hajj?
Q6.What was the impact of the creation of the Djinguereber Mosque?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A country made up of individual states that have control over their own local matters, but are controlled by a central government is known as a
Q2.How did Mali conquer its neighbours, such as the Jolof in the west and the Songhai in the east. Select the correct statement.
Q3.Why was the Malian military so impressive? Select all of the statements that are correct.
Q4.What was the role of a farimba? Select the statements that are correct
Q5.Upon which of the following two commodities did the Mali Empire generate incredible amounts of wealth?
Q6.How did the Malian elite used gold? Select all of the statements that are correct.
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The successful expansion of medieval Mali, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The successful expansion of medieval Mali, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the Medieval West Africa: why was medieval Mali so successful? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.