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300
Picture for "Ghana Gets Stronger"
From 300 to 800 AD -
Period: 300 to Jan 1, 800
Ghana Gets Stronger
After 300 AD, the Soninke banded together for protection, which would soon become Ghana. They learned to work with iron, and herd cattle. Towns and villages popped up, population increased, and from trade, Ghana's rulers gained power. Their armies were superior, and the empire was flourishing. -
Jan 1, 800
Picture for "Rich and Powerful"
From 800 to 1000 AD -
Period: Jan 1, 800 to Jan 1, 1000
Rich and Powerful
By this time, Ghana is firmly in control of West Africa's trade routes and starts taxing the people of Ghana, traders, and small neighboring tribes to make more profit. Its gold mines also start to increase Ghana's income, their armies become even more powerful, and they conquered their neighbors. -
Jan 1, 1200
Ghana Falls
At the start of the 12th century, the empire collapses. It is caused by invasion, from the Almoravids in the 1060s, weakening Ghana, and cutting off its important trade routes. In addition, the Almoravids' animals ate all the grass in many pastures, and the wind blew away all of the exposed soil, leaving it hard to farm. The last factor is that rebels took over Ghana, but when they could not keep order, Ghana was attacked and defeated. -
Jan 1, 1230
Picture for "Mali Becomes An Empire"
From 1230 to 1300 AD -
Period: Jan 1, 1230 to Jan 1, 1300
Mali Becomes An Empire
A ruler named Sundiata won back Mali's independence, and conquered Ghana, along with other nearby kingdoms. He took over the salt and gold trades, improved agriculture by making new farmlands for beans, onions, etc, and even invented and sold cotton. Sundiata made Mali powerful, and stable. -
Jan 1, 1312
Picture for "Ruler Mansa Musa"
From 1312 to 1337 -
Period: Jan 1, 1312 to Jan 1, 1337
Ruler Mansa Musa
During his rule from 1312 from 1337, Mansa Musa helped Mali reach its height, and also spread Islam throughout West Africa. Mali obtained important trade cities like Timbuktu, and fame when Mansa Musa went to Mecca. In addition, Mansa made education better for Mali, and build mosques all around Mali. -
Jan 1, 1337
Picture for "Fall of Mali"
From 1337 to 1500. -
Period: Jan 1, 1337 to Jan 1, 1500
Fall of Mali
When Mansa Musa's son took the throne in 1337, he couldn't stop raiders from the southeast, and they burned Mali's schools and mosques in Timbuktu. After this, Mali was weakened and slowly declined. By 1431, the Tuareg, nomads from the Sahara, seized Timbuktu, and afterwards people left, and Mali lost most of its land. -
Jan 1, 1400
Picture for "The Start of Songahi"
1400 to 1492 -
Period: Jan 1, 1400 to Jan 1, 1492
The Start of Songhai
Around the 1400s, Songhai regained their freedom from Mali, and started trading with the Berbers, since they shared the religion of Islam. They grew richer, and Sunni Ali stabilized, unified, and enlarged his empire, taking over land once part of Mali. He built religious harmony, and encouraged everyone to work together. -
Jan 1, 1493
Askia the Great Runs Songhai
After Sunni's death, and the rebellion of his son's rule, Askia became leader, and helped make Timbuktu popular by making learning and education better. Thousands came for its universities, schools, libraries, and especially the University of Sankore (picture). In addition, Askia maintained order by setting up five provinces, created a professional army, and spread Islam. -
Songahi Falls to Morocco
Morocco, a rival of Songhai sent an army in 1591 carrying advanced weapons like arquebus. They destroyed Timbuktu and Gao, because the Songhai's swords, spears, and bows were no match. As a result, there were changes in trade patterns, and Songhai's trade and money declined, until it came to an end.
