Which factors led to the downfall of Ghana? Select all that apply.
A.
Ghana was engaged in conflict with people to the north.
B.
Ghana lacked nearby water resources. *******
C.
Ghana was unwilling to participate in trade.
D.
Ghana's large population began straining resources.*******
E.
Ghana did not have iron weapons and rival nations did.
To determine the factors that led to the downfall of Ghana, we need to evaluate each option provided and identify which ones contributed to its decline.
A. Ghana was engaged in conflict with people to the north.
This factor is a possible contributing factor to Ghana's downfall. Conflicts and wars can weaken a nation and divert resources that could have been used for development. However, it is not the only factor, so we cannot select it as the sole reason for Ghana's decline.
B. Ghana lacked nearby water resources.
This factor is not directly related to Ghana's downfall. While the availability of water resources is important for a nation's development and sustainability, it is not a primary reason for Ghana's decline.
C. Ghana was unwilling to participate in trade.
This option is not a valid factor in the downfall of Ghana. Ghana was actually well-known for its involvement in trade, particularly in gold and salt. Trade was a major contributing factor to Ghana's rise as a powerful empire.
D. Ghana's large population began straining resources.
This factor is considered one of the key reasons for Ghana's downfall. The increasing population, combined with limited resources, can place a strain on the sustainability of a nation. This could lead to internal conflicts and resource scarcity, which were detrimental to Ghana's stability.
E. Ghana did not have iron weapons and rival nations did.
This factor is also a significant contributor to Ghana's decline. The lack of advanced weaponry, such as iron weapons, left Ghana at a disadvantage in conflicts with rival nations who possessed superior military technology. This weakness made Ghana vulnerable to conquest and invasion.
Therefore, the factors that led to the downfall of Ghana are options B (Ghana lacked nearby water resources), D (Ghana's large population began straining resources), and E (Ghana did not have iron weapons and rival nations did).