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Ghana was created when the Soninke band together for protection against nomadic herders who wanted to move into their area.
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Ghana lay between the Sahara to the north and deep forests that spread out to the south. They were in a good place to trade the area's most important resources, gold, and salt. They used a process where people exchanged goods without direct contact. This is called silent barter.
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Ghana was in control of all of West Africa's trade routes. Ghan's army kept the trade routes safe for everyone. As trade increased, Ghana's wealth also increased.
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Sundiata was the major reason Mali became an empire. He made Mali an independent country and also conquered nearby Ghana. He also took control of salt and gold trades, which were very valuable. He improved agriculture in Mali and introduced cotton.
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After Sundiata died in 1255, the next rulers were called "mansa". Most of these rulers were Muslim. Mali's most famous ruler was a Muslim named Mansa Musa. Mali reached the height of its wealth, power, and fame in the 1300s. Because of him, Islam spread throughout West Africa. He ruled for about 25 years.
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Mansa Musa's death led to his son, Maghan, who wasn't a Muslim, to be the next emperor. However, he was a weak ruler. When raiders from the southeast invaded Mali, he wasn't able to stop them.
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Mansa Musa conquered Songhai, but as Mali weakened, the people of Songhai rebelled and regained their freedom from Mali. The Berbers wanted to trade with Songhai because they had the same religion, which led to Songhai becoming richer. They expanded their territory and made Songhai an empire.
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Muhammad Ture took over Songhai after Sunni Ali's death. He made the laws of Songhai similar to other Muslim country laws. Because of him, Timbuktu attracted many people to its schools, mosques, and libraries.
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Morocco, a rival from the north, wanted control of Songhai's salt mines. The Moroccan army set out for the heart of Songhai. The swords and arrows of the Songhai warriors were nothing compared to the guns and cannons of the Moroccan warriors.The inaders took control over Timbuktu and Gao.
