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300
Ghana
In Ghana, they have a famous process of trading, called silent barter. Silent barter is a process in which people exchange goods without contacting each other directly. -
Jan 1, 800
2.) Ghana
As trade improves in Ghana, they started to take over trade from the North African merchants, and their wealth also started to increase. Furthermore, with the money they have, they could buy weapons that are superior than other countries. Another thing is they could get different good from the trading they do. In conclusion, this advantages for their country lead them on building an empire. -
Jan 1, 1200
3.) Ghana
Even though Ghana was once a great Empire, every thing must have their weaknesses. Ghana had 3 factors that made their empire collapse; invasions, overgrazing, and internal rebellion. -
Jan 1, 1230
Mali
According to legend, Mali's rise to power began under a ruler named Sundiata. He conquered a lot of nearby kingdoms, including Ghana. Other than that, he also worked to improve agriculture in Mali. He even found introduced new crop-cotton. To keep order in his prosperous kingdom, Sundiata took away power from local leaders, which had the title "mansa". -
Jan 1, 1300
2.) Mali
Sundiata was a good leader, however Mansa Musa was the most famous Muslim ruler in Mali. Mansa Musa was a famous ruler, because he is the one that introduced Mali to the Islamic world. -
Jan 1, 1400
Songhai
As the Mali Empire has weakened in the 1400s, the people of Songhai rebelled and they regained their freedom that Mali has taken. Since most of the Songhai leaders are Muslims, so were other lands. One of the land is called Berbers, and since they both share the same religion, Berbers are willing to trade with Songhai, who grew richer. As they gained in wealth, they expanded their territory and built and empire, which was under led by someone named Sunni Ali in 1464. -
Jan 1, 1492
2.) Songhai
When Sunni Ali died in 1492, his son- Sunni Baru, took over the throne. However, he was not Muslim. With his different religion, the Songhai people feared that they would lose trade with Muslim lands. Furthermore, a rebellion was started, and the leader of this rebellion was a general named Muhammad Ture. After overthrowing Sunni Baru, Muhammad Ture chose the title askia, which means a title of high military rank. Eventually, he become known as Askia the Great. -
Jan 1, 1500
3.) Mali
When Mansa Musa died, his son Maghan took the throne. However, unlike his dad, Maghan was a weak ruler. When raiders from the southeast poured into Mali, he wasn't able to stop them. These invasions lead the fall of Mali. -
3.) Songhai
A northern rival of Songhai, Morocco, wanted to gain control of Songhai's salt. With Morocco's willingness, they finally make a move in 1591. They aimed for the heart of Songhai, and no matter how wealthy and rich Songhai was, their weapons were no match with Morrocans'. Eventually, the Morrocans destroyed Timbuktu and Gao. With their changes in trade patterns, it competed Songhai's fall.
