The West African Kingdom of Songhai

1
The West African Kingdom of Songhai

• In this lesson, students will be able to define
  the following terms
• The Kingdom of Songhai
• Cultural Diffusion
• Monotheism
• Trans-Saharan Trade
• The Fall of Songhai

2
Great trading kingdoms emerged in West Africa.
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The Kingdom of Songhai

• In 1464, the people of Songhai captured Timbuktu.
• The people of Songhai seized control of the
  profitable Trans-Saharan trade.
• The West African Kingdom of Songhai was the
  largest of the three trading kingdoms.

4
The West African kingdom of Songhai was the
largest of the three trading kingdoms.
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Conversion to Islam

• The rulers of Songhai were Muslims.
• Many West Africans had converted to Islam. They
  accepted the Five Pillars of Islam and became
  monotheists (believers in one God).
• North Africans were Muslims. Through trade,
  cultural diffusion or cultural exchanges
  occurred.

6
North African nomads were Muslims. Through
trade, Islam entered West Africa. Trade
increased cultural diffusion or the exchange of
cultural ideas and objects.
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Trans-Saharan Trade

• Like Ghana and Mali, the kingdom of Songhai
  controlled the profitable Trans-Saharan trade.
• The Trans-Saharan trade connected North Africa
  and West Africa.
• North African salt was exchanged for West African
  gold.

8
North African nomads exchanged salt for West
African gold.
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The Fall of Songhai

• Eventually, the kingdom of Songhai fell to
  invading armies from Morocco in 1591.
• The Moroccan armies had guns.
• The Moroccans had acquired guns from Europeans.

10
The Moroccans had acquired guns from Europeans.
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The largest of the trading kingdoms, the kingdom
of Songhai, only lasted 100 years.
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Summary

• Three great West African kingdoms controlled the
  Trans-Saharan trade routes.
• While profiting greatly from the trade, the three
  kingdoms built beautiful cities and great centers
  of learning.
• Trade between North Africa and West Africa
  increased cultural diffusion.

13
The Trans-Saharan trade greatly increased
cultural diffusion.
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Questions for Reflection

• How did the people of Songhai gain control of the
  Trans-Saharan trade routes?
• What was the Trans-Saharan trade?
• Why did the Trans-Saharan trade greatly increase
  cultural diffusion?
• How did the introduction of Islam to West Africa
  affect the cultures of West Africa?
• Why did the kingdom of Songhai collapse?