Question
Evaluate the influence of Catholicism in the Kingdom of the Kongo.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the influences of Catholicism on the Kingdom of the Kongo. They may note the impact of Catholicism on traditional African culture, for example, practices such as polygamy were shunned by the converted. Christian converts spoke Portuguese and adopted Portuguese names and clothing, and candidates may stress the growing tension and rivalry between converts and other Kongolese. They may also focus on the impact of Catholicism on traditional belief systems. These were not necessarily eliminated, but often syncretised with Catholicism. They may look at the spread of literacy with the establishment of Christian schools and the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. Missionaries were also responsible for the establishment of at least one hospital in Sao Salvador.
Question
Discuss the causes of the rise and decline of the Mali Empire.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the causes of the rise of the Mali Empire and the causes of its decline. While they need not provide equal focus on rise and decline, the two factors must be addressed in candidates’ responses. Candidates may note that Mali’s rise was tied to the decline of the Ghana Empire. Sundiata Keita’s defeat of regional rivals allowed him to step into this power vacuum and consolidate control of the lucrative trade in gold and salt. The empire then expanded to the Atlantic coast and became the dominant regional power. Candidates may also refer to military factors including success in warfare. For decline, candidates may address the weak leadership of Maghan Musa, whose mismanagement of revenues led to economic failure. These problems were compounded by succession disputes and the division of the empire into three, followed by the surrender of territory and loss of control of the trans-Saharan trade routes, and, finally, the disintegration of the empire.
Question
Evaluate the reasons for the rise of the Ghana Empire.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the reasons for the rise of the Ghana Empire, weighing up their importance. Candidates may refer to internal and external reasons that contributed to the rise of the Ghana Empire and/or they may categorize these into long- and short-term causes. Additionally or alternatively, candidates may consider the social, political and/or economic reasons for its rise. Factors identified may include the strong, centralised administrative structure of the empire and the personal wealth of the king, the strategic location of the empire along the trade routes for gold, salt and ivory and taxation of commodities which led to the collection of vast revenues, the possession of fertile agricultural lands, military strength and conquest, and the requirement of vassal states to pay annual tribute. Candidates may reach a conclusion about the relative importance of the different factors which they identify.
Question
Evaluate the reasons for the decline of the Mali Empire by 1600.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the reasons for the decline of the Mali Empire, weighing up their importance. Candidates may refer to internal and external reasons that contributed to the decline of the Mali Empire. Alternatively, they may categorize their responses into long- and short- term causes. Additionally or alternatively, candidates may consider the social, political and/or economic reasons for the decline. Factors identified may include weak leadership after the death of Mansa Musa, external threats and attacks by rivals such as the Mossi and Tuaregs, economic decline and bankruptcy due to poor administration and the loss of trade routes, internal rebellions which led to territorial disintegration, and the rise of new, powerful rivals such as the Songhai Empire. Candidates may reach a conclusion about the relative importance of the different factors which they identify.