Trans-Saharan Slave Trade

16 Grade 8 Social Studies questions on Trans-Saharan Slave Trade, with worked marking schemes. 16 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   During the Trans-Saharan trade, which animal was most important for transporting goods and people across the desert?

   A. Horse

   B. Donkey

   C. Ox

   D. Camel

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   A village in the West African savanna is attacked at night, huts are burned and young people are seized and chained. This account BEST illustrates

   A. a peaceful trading expedition

   B. how captives were acquired for the slave trade

   C. a farming cooperative meeting

   D. a religious pilgrimage across the desert

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   What was the main mode of transport used to move goods and captives across the desert during the Trans-Saharan trade?

   A. Sailing dhows

   B. Steam trains

   C. Ox-drawn carts

   D. Camel caravans

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   6 marks

   Explain three effects of the Trans-Saharan slave trade on West African societies.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3, 2 marks each (1 for point + 1 for explanation): Depopulation - many young people captured/killed reducing population; Insecurity - frequent raids and wars created fear and instability; Decline in economic activities - loss of labour affected farming/production; Growth of some kingdoms - rulers who controlled trade gained wealth and power; Spread of Islam/Arab influence along routes; Suffering/loss of life during the harsh desert journey; Disruption of families and communities. (Max 6)

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   How were most captives obtained for the Trans-Saharan slave trade?

   A. Through voluntary recruitment for paid work

   B. Through government employment schemes

   C. Through raids and inter-community wars

   D. Through buying them in European markets

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   4 marks

   State four factors that promoted the Trans-Saharan slave trade.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 4, 1 mark each: Use of camels suited to desert travel; Existence of established trade routes across the Sahara; High demand for slaves in North Africa/Middle East; Availability of captives from wars and raids; Profits/wealth gained by traders; Cooperation of African rulers/middlemen; Existence of oases for resting; Demand for other goods (salt, gold) along the same routes. (Max 4)

7. Question 7

   6 marks

   The Trans-Saharan trade linked West Africa with North Africa across the Sahara Desert.

   (a) Name two items that were traded along the Trans-Saharan trade route. (2 marks)

   (b) Explain two effects of this trade on the people of West Africa. (4 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Items traded (any two): Gold, salt, ivory, cloth, horses, slaves, kola nuts, copper. (b) Effects of the Trans-Saharan trade on West Africa (any two, explained): 1. Growth of trading towns and empires - towns such as Timbuktu grew, and wealthy empires like Ghana and Mali developed from the wealth of the trade. 2. Spread of Islam - Muslim traders from North Africa introduced the Islamic religion, culture and Arabic writing to West Africa. 3. Depopulation and suffering - the slave trade led to the loss of many strong young people who were captured and sold, weakening communities. 4. Introduction of new goods and ideas - West Africans obtained new products and learning, including education centres in towns like Timbuktu.

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Camels were especially important in the Trans-Saharan slave trade because they

   A. could travel long distances across the desert with little water

   B. could swim across rivers easily

   C. produced large amounts of milk for sale

   D. were used to plough farms along the route

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   3 marks

   Identify three trade goods, other than slaves, that were exchanged in the Trans-Saharan trade.

   (3 marks)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which group of traders dominated the Trans-Saharan slave trade across North Africa?

    A. Indian merchants

    B. Arab and Berber traders

    C. Portuguese sailors

    D. British missionaries

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    6 marks

    The Trans-Saharan trade was carried out across the Sahara Desert.

    (a) Identify two goods that were traded from West Africa across the Sahara.

    (b) Explain two effects of the Trans-Saharan slave trade on the people of Africa.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Goods traded from West Africa: gold, ivory, kola nuts, slaves, ostrich feathers, leather/hides. (Any two) (b) Effects of the Trans-Saharan slave trade on Africans (explained): - Depopulation: many strong and able-bodied young people were captured and taken away as slaves, reducing the population. - Loss of skilled labour: the most productive people were taken, weakening African economies/agriculture. - Insecurity and warfare: communities raided one another to capture slaves, leading to constant fear and conflict. - Destruction of families and communities as people were captured and separated. - Spread of Islam and Arabic culture along the trade routes. (Any two well explained)

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    The Trans-Saharan slave trade involved the movement of enslaved people across which physical feature?

    A. The Indian Ocean

    B. The Great Rift Valley

    C. The Congo rainforest

    D. The Sahara Desert

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Besides enslaved people, which other goods were commonly traded southwards across the Sahara into West Africa?

    A. Tea and rubber

    B. Salt and cloth

    C. Coffee and sugar

    D. Maize and beans

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Which West African empire grew wealthy partly by controlling the Trans-Saharan trade routes?

    A. Buganda Kingdom

    B. Great Zimbabwe

    C. Zulu Kingdom

    D. Mali Empire

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    Which of the following was a major commodity, apart from enslaved people, traded across the Sahara from West Africa northwards?

    A. Gold

    B. Coal

    C. Rubber

    D. Tea

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Which of the following was a MAIN destination market for slaves taken across the Sahara?

    A. East Asia

    B. North Africa and the Middle East

    C. Western Europe

    D. South America

    (1 mark)

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