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Basic 4 · History · The People of Ghana

The Expansion of the Asante Kingdom

In this topic you will explain why and how the Asante Kingdom expanded.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Name kings who expanded Asante
  • Explain the reasons for expansion
  • Describe how Asante organised its empire

What you already know

  • The formation of the Asante Kingdom

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
My country Ghana
Sub-strand
The People of Ghana
Indicator
B4.2.1.1.1 – Describe how one major kingdom was formed and the reasons behind its expansion

Introduction

After Feyiase, Asante grew into a great empire. Under Opoku Ware I and later kings, it controlled much of present-day Ghana.

1. Kings Who Expanded Asante

Expansion
KingMain conquests
Osei TutuDenkyira and nearby states
Opoku Ware IBono (Takyiman), Akyem, Gonja; Dagomba paid tribute
Osei Kwadwo and later kingsextended control and strengthened government
Map showing the Asante Empire at its height
Figure 1: The Asante Empire at its height Draw the map and shade the Asante core.Base map: NordNordWest, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Reasons for Expansion

Why Asante expanded
ReasonExplanation
tradeto control trade routes to the coast and the north
wealthto get gold, kola, ivory and tribute
securityto defeat enemies who threatened it
strong armya well-organised army with guns
strong leadershipable kings and the unity of the Golden Stool

3. Organising the Empire

  • The Asantehene ruled from Kumasi.
  • Conquered states paid tribute.
  • Roads connected Kumasi to distant parts.
  • The Odwira festival brought chiefs together each year.

New words

expand
To grow bigger.
empire
A large state ruling many other states.
conquer
To take control by force.
trade route
A path used by traders.
kola
A nut traded from the forest to the north.
tributary state
A state that pays tribute to a stronger one.

Summary

  • Opoku Ware I and other kings expanded Asante.
  • Asante expanded for trade, wealth and security.
  • A strong army and leadership helped expansion.
  • Conquered states paid tribute to Kumasi.

Class activity: Expansion Reasons

  1. Look at the regional map of Ghana.
  2. Mark the areas Asante controlled.
  3. List the reasons for expansion beside each area.

You need: Ghana map, Printed photographs of traditional stools, Palaces, Locally made timeline cards

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which king greatly expanded Asante after Osei Tutu?

    • A. Opoku Ware I
    • B. Prempeh I
    • C. Okomfo Anokye
    • D. Nkrumah
    Show answer
    Answer: Opoku Ware IHe conquered many states.

  2. 2. Which is a reason for Asante expansion?

    • A. To control trade routes
    • B. To lose wealth
    • C. To weaken the army
    • D. To stop trade
    Show answer
    Answer: To control trade routesTrade brought wealth.

  3. 3. States that paid tribute to Asante were…

    • A. Tributary states
    • B. Colonies
    • C. Republics
    • D. Parties
    Show answer
    Answer: Tributary statesThey paid tribute.

  4. 4. Asante had a strong army.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt helped expansion.

  5. 5. Asante never traded with the north.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt traded kola to the north.

  6. 6. To take control by force is to ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: conquerAsante conquered states.

  7. 7. Give three reasons why Asante expanded.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any three: trade, wealth, security, strong army, strong leadership.These drove expansion.

  8. 8. How did roads help the Asante Empire?

    Show answer
    Answer: They linked Kumasi to distant areas for trade, armies and messengers.Roads held the empire together.

Homework

  1. Draw a map showing Kumasi and two areas Asante controlled.