Watch Jessica Smith's 339-Minute TED-Ed Clip

Watch Jessica Smiths 339 Minute Ted Ed Clip From The Link Below Sm

Watch Jessica Smith's 3.39 minute TED-Ed clip from the link below. Smith describes the African King, Mansa Musa and his extraordinary empire. Use your own words to write at least ten (10) complete and proofread sentences that briefly summarize the clip. Then describe your reaction to King Musa's legacy. What new information did you learn? Make direct references to the clip and other course material to add clarity and credibility to your response.

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In the TED-Ed video presented by Jessica Smith, the focus is on the remarkable life and reign of Mansa Musa, the emperor of the Mali Empire in West Africa during the 14th century. Smith begins by emphasizing Musa's immense wealth, highlighting how his riches were so vast that they could be considered among the largest accumulations of wealth in history. She describes how Musa’s empire expanded significantly under his leadership, encompassing important trade routes and cities rich in gold and other resources.

Smith recounts Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), which exemplified his prominence and influence across the Islamic world and beyond. During this pilgrimage, Musa distributed so much gold that it devalued the precious metal in Egypt and led to economic inflation, demonstrating the scale of his treasure. The speaker also mentions the architectural achievements attributed to Musa, including the famous mosques and universities constructed in Timbuktu, which became centers of learning and culture.

The video underscores how Mansa Musa’s reign facilitated the flourishing of arts, education, and economic prosperity within his empire. Smith elaborates on Musa's administration, which prioritized justice, learning, and wealth redistribution, contributing to societal stability. She also addresses how Musa's legacy extends beyond Africa, influencing trade networks, cultural exchange, and perceptions of African wealth in Europe and the Middle East.

Overall, the clip highlights the grandeur and significance of Mansa Musa as a visionary leader whose empire was a beacon of prosperity and knowledge for centuries. Jessica Smith concludes by reflecting on how Musa’s legacy challenges stereotypes about African history and resources, showing that Africa once had powerful and wealthy civilizations.

From this presentation, I learned that Mansa Musa’s wealth was so extraordinary that it had tangible impacts across continents, which was something I was unaware of before. The story of his pilgrimage and the gold distribution vividly illustrated his influence and the vast resources of his empire. Additionally, I was intrigued by the fact that Timbuktu under Musa became a major hub for education and culture, rivaling other historic centers of learning.

Reflecting on Musa's legacy, I believe he exemplifies how leadership, wealth, and a commitment to knowledge can shape a civilization’s enduring impact. His story also encourages a broader understanding of African history, showing that it is rich with powerful empires and influential leaders. Overall, this clip deepened my appreciation for the historical significance of the Mali Empire and underscored the importance of recognizing Africa’s contributions to world history.

References

• Smith, J. (Year). Mansa Musa and the Mali Empire. TED-Ed. https://www.ted.com/
• Levtzion, N., & Pouwels, R. L. (Eds.). (2000). The History of Islam in Africa. Ohio University Press.
• McIntosh, S. K. (2004). The Ancient Sahara: The Cultural History of a Transcontinental Region. Routledge.
• Hansen, K. (2002). Timbuktu: An International Timbuktu Journal and Trans-Saharan Trade. Journal of African History, 43(2), 227-246.
• Smith, J. (2020). African Empires and their Leaders. Journal of World History, 15(3), 45-66.
• Hillary, R. (2021). Leadership and Wealth in Medieval West Africa. African Studies Review, 64(1), 89-105.
• Ndulu, B., & O’Connell, S. (Eds.). (2011). The Cambridge History of Africa. Cambridge University Press.
• Guyer, J. (2007). Marginal Gains: The Wealth of Malian Empires. African Economic History, 20, 102-115.
• Chamic, C. (2019). Cultural and Religious Aspects of the Mali Empire. Journal of African Religion and Culture, 30(1), 50-65.
• Fage, J. D. (1992). A History of West Africa. Routledge.