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The empire of Ghana took rule after trade in salt and gold increased and the ruler's gained power. Pretty soon, it started to take control.
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By 800 AD, Ghana was in control of West Africa's trade routes. Almost all of the trade routes passed through Ghana. Trading grew and eventually, Ghana became very wealthy.
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Obviously, Ghana did not stay as an empire forever. Almoravids invaded Ghana and after 14 years of fighting, the Almoravids defeated Ghana. They did not control for long, but they weakened it. Overgrazing also caused this problem and eventually people rebelled and Ghana fell.
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Mali became an empire in 1235 AD, after it conquered places around it, including Ghana.At the time, Sundiata was emperor.He took over salt and gold trades.
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To keep order in the community, Sundiata took power away from local leaders. Mansa became the title for the emperor from now. Another emperor named Mansa Musa's rise caused the spread of Islam.
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One of the places Mali took over was Songhai, and over time, as Mali declined, Soghai people decided to rebel, and since there was nothing they could do, they became the next empire.
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Like all other empires, Mali declined. After Mansa Musa died, his son took over the throne. But when invaders came in, he was not able to stop them. They set fire on the schools, and it weakened.By 1500, there was just a small part of Mali left.
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Many of the leaders were muslim, and there were too many to rule one place. As Songhai grew wealthier, the trading expanded, and the empire was created.
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Soon after Sunni Ali died, Askia the Great came to power. At about that time, the Morrocans decided to attack on Songhai, just when it was getting very strong. The Morroccans destroyed Gao and Timbuktu and left, leaving the empire weak, and leading to the fall of Songhai!
