Economist Activity

Economists study the economics of a civilization. Economics is anything that has to do with trade. Economics is not money which is a tool used for trade. There are many types of trade such as; barter (trade without money), traditional economy or subsistence farming which is just enough for your needs, manorialism which is subsistence farming during the middle ages, mercantilism which is a country's worth measured in gold and silver, and/or more exports than imports during the age of exploration and age of imperialism, capitalism which is the belief in making a profit from trade, free-market capitalism which is the government's non-interference in trade, or socialism which is government control of trade. Economists look for patterns of trade, causes and effects of trade, as well as other aspects of trade. Click on the graphic on the left to see the numerous aspects of economics.

Economist--You will investigate the economy of the kingdom.

Directions:

For this role, you will answer the following questions.
Use the Internet information linked on the West African Empires - Resources page and via the Internet to answer these questions specifically related to economics and the empire's economy.

What is a good definition of an economist in your own words?
How important was farming to the economy or was it something else they did as their main economic activity?
How important was trade?
What items were traded?
With whom did they trade?