Presentation Reflection
What did you learn?
I learned during the presentations about iron technology’s impact on west africa, how the Songhai empire grew to greatness, and the conquest of Songhai by Morocco.
Specifically I learned what was used before iron, how they used iron, the impact on it, and how the early trade centers developed. So things like they had to use stones and bones before iron, you had to dig, crush, heat, and then make it into weapons.I also learned that farming and hunting became more popular because of iron and lots of people moved to the riversde to farm. Trading villages became city’s because they became richr. This is what I learned about Iron technology’s Impact on West Africa.
What I learned about How the Songhai Empire Grew to Greatness was that Mali had ruled Songhai for hundreds of years but they gained independance in 1435. Their empire rose in 1490. The leader of the Songhai empire was called Askia. When Islam spread, the Songhai empire took their army to east Africa to spread the religion even more. In 1538 Askia Musa became king (the son of Askia). He became king because of the heiralry system that was enforced. Also in 1483 Songhai’s empire was bigger than Mali’s empire! Scholars came to study arabic manuscripts in a university in Timbuktu. There also were mrket inspectors and ministors to obey the kings orders.
The things I learned about The Conquest of Songhai by Morocco was the sultan of morocco wanted to control the salt and gold trade to become rich and powerfull to fund his army. Than a law was enforced that the Moroccans could not trade at the salt mines, so then they got mad and started a war with Songhai. The Songhai army lost half of their army. Then the Moroccains started to steal the salt and gold. By this, the trade route got ruined.
What did you find surprising?
What I found suprising was that during the war between Songhai and Morocco, Songhai lost half of their army! I was also suprised by was that the Songhai empire grew to be bigger than the Mali empire and that Mali ruled Songhai for hundredsof years. These things definately made me “raise my eyebrows”
Now I feel that I am an expert on West africa’s history. I thought it was very interesting to learn about these things. It was interesting to learn about the different rulers and new discoveries.
Current Event Response
Article that is connected:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4158802.stm
Title of Article: “Silent aircraft design launched”
Website Title: BBC news
Date published: Wednesday, 17 August 2005
Website Address:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4158802.stm
Date I looked at the site: Tuesday, November 7th, 2006
How are your two events connected?
My two events are connected because in Bea’s article it is describing that they had already developeed the SAX-40 airplane. In my article it is describing that they were planning to make a silent aircraft. Both of these articles have to do with making new planes. In my article they are only planning of making a silent aircraft, but in Bea’s article they have already developed the aircraft.
What did you find interesting about this topic?
What I found interesting about this topic was that it helped the environment and it it was interesting to hear about a new invention. This interested me because quite soon we might actually be sitting on the actual SAX-40 aircraft!
What did you like about the initial blog posting?
What I liked about the initial blog posting was that Bea explained very well what the issue was. Like how the airplanes affected the environment. Also I liked how Bea tried to find any possible person that could be affected.
