Kingdoms of Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

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Kingdoms of AfricaGhana, Mali, and Songhai
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Kingdom of Ghana

• Western Africa, located on the Senegal River
• Emerged in 500 A.D.
• 1st Great Traders of West Africa
• Gold and Salt trade
• Farming communities throughout nation
• Strong rulers, no laws to govern with
• Rulers acted as religious leader, judge, and
  military commander as well
• Well trained army to protect Kingdom
• Vast wealth- resources of gold, silver, and iron
  ore

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Ghana Continued

• Traded gold and salt but also cloth and weapons
• Berbers- traders whom carried the products across
  the desert
• Camels heavily used
• About 3 miles per hours, about 60 days to reach
  destination
• Spread of Islamic ideas through trade
• Literacy grew- study of the Quran

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Empire of Ghana

• King collected taxes on all goods traded
• Usually took tax payments as gold or salt blocks
• King controlled/ owned all gold
• Preventing it from losing its value at market
• Type of economy- Government Controlled!
• Elaborate dress for the wealthy
• 800 A.D.- reached empire status
• Smaller rulers left in place over territories
• Like a bureaucracy
• Independent rulers pay tax freedom of state

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End of Ghana

• Lived in luxury for hundreds of years
• Weakened by war
• Collapsed in the 1200s
• No political or cultural unity
• Many different ethnic groups
• Lost control on
• conquered territories
• Led to ..

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Invasions from the Susu Kingdom and Empire of Mali
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Kingdom of Mali

• 12th Century
• Defeated Ghana, captured capital 1240
• Extended from Atlantic Coast to Timbuktu
• Wealth came from gold and salt trade
• Each village had its own ruler
• Ruler governed and sent money to the king of Mali

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Mansa

• Meaning ruler
• Major Ruler- Sundiata
• provided wealth and power to empire
• re-organized government
• Capital- Niani
• moved government westward provided more trading
  posts

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Mansa Musa

• Powerful king, 1312- 1337
• Extended kingdom (double the size)
• Strong central govt., kingdom divided into
  provinces
• Timbuktu- Islamic learning center
• Pilgrimage to Mecca, wanted education in Mali
• Built mosques and libraries
• Civil War, 1359 divided Mali, beginning of the
  end

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• However, the Empire of Mali would eventually
  quicken
• Reasons
• Poor Leadership - spent money irresponsibility on
  personal extravagant items and lifestyles
• There was no clear line of succession-who becomes
  the next king when the old king dies?
• Noblemen secluded the Mansas from their people
  and took authority in his absence.

IT KIND OF REMINDS YOU OF THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kingdom of Songhai

• Niger River Valley
• Land very fertile (yearly flooding)
• Islamic kingdom
• Benefited from Muslim trade routes
• Askia the Great- expanded the kingdom, 1464
• Cities- Timbuktu and Jenne
• Created a professional army
• Gave total control of trade routes to Songhai
• Ruled for over 30 years

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Songhai Continued

• Muhammad Ture- Golden Age ruler
• Expansion, peaceful and secure time
• After his reign the empire entered into a decline
• By 1600- Songhai completely declined
• Lacked modern weapons (Guns)
• Overthrown finally by North African armies