From the book, Trans-Saharan Trade in World History, by Ralph Austin, read the Preface and chapters 1 and 2 I need these four questions answered to be on a discussion board. The questions can be answered by the number. I don′t want it in one big essay form. just the numbered questions answered in order.1.In Chapter 1, Austen gives us a brief history of the Sahara from antiquity. He argues that although there may be differences in ethnicity, topography, aridity, and cultural practices, North Africa and the Sahel should be viewed as an integral region. Explain how this integration happened, both in the pre-Islamic era and since the expansion of Islam in Africa.2.Chapter 2 is a detailed narrative of various aspects of the trans-Saharan trade. From your reading of this chapter, discuss in detail the significance of the two most important items of trade that traveled from West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean: gold and slaves.3.This massive international trad

Answer

Question 1.

According to Austen, North Africa and the Sahel region should be viewed as one because of the integration that occurred in the two areas. As per the author, the integration mainly occurred in the pre-Islamic era and after the expansion of Islam in Africa in the following way. In particular, North Africa primarily acted as the link between the Sahel regions to nations beyond the Mediterranean Sea (Austen, 2010). Integration majorly occurred between the regions as they functioned as trade routes for merchants from the south and Arab nations, which, in the end, led to Islam's spread in the Sahel region.

Question 2.

Gold and slaves were vital commodities for slaves between the North, the West, and the Mediterranean region. Gold was highly coveted in the North as it was a precious metal that could be used in many decorations (Austen, 2010). Also, gold was used as a measure and store of wealth. On the other hand, slaves had great significance in the Mediterranean because the region's demand for labor had drastically increased. Slaves had great value in the North as their masters ensured they continued to give birth to multiple children, thus enabling them to join the workforce for their masters.

Question 3.

According to Austen (2010), the camel caravans mainly consisted of about 1000 camels, the minimum to about 12000 in full capacity. Similarly, the caravan also consisted of Berbers who knew the desert, thus acting as guides to merchants on their pursuits. Their travels were mainly organized in groups, each with Berbers guiding them through the desert (Austen, 2010). The caravan system was mainly financed with gold which acted as a mode of trade with Arabs from the North.

Question 4.

Big players in the trans-Saharan trade were heavily frustrated with the new frontier of trade established by the Europeans, preventing them from conducting their inhumane slave trade (Austen, 2010). The study indicates that the group tried to frustrate the traders; however, their efforts proved futile as the Europeans provided weapons to its traders, thus helping them defend themselves against enough forms of aggression.