Page 12 - Networks of Exchange 1200-1450

Trade Routes - Trans-Saharan

Trade

● The Trans-Saharan trade routes that formed in the

classical age grew enormously in the period from 1200

to 1450 C.E.

● Islam played a primary role in this increase.

● During the Umayyad Caliphate, Islam came to north

Africa and reinvigorated trade.

● Caravan crossings of the Sahara desert increased the

trade in gold, salt, ivory and slaves.

● Along these same routes, Islam spread to sub-Saharan

portions of west Africa.

● For the first time, empires emerged under the Sahara

desert, in large part because Islam brought the means

to empower local kings and provide a point of unity.

● Mansa Musa's famous and extravagant pilgrimage to

Mecca gave his kingdom of Mali wide recognition

across the Dar al-Islam and served to increase trade

connections across the Sahara.