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West African Empires

Explore the greatness of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires with their political, economic systems, and impactful achievements in West Africa. Discover how these empires flourished with trade, cultural exchange, Islamic influence, and military strength.

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West African Empires

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  1. West African Empires

  2. The Empire of Ghana750-1076 • Political: • Led by powerful King who ruled over a splendid court • Capital city was Kumbi Saleh • Had a large army of foot soldiers and cavalry – helped to expand kingdom

  3. Economic System • Commercially based empire. Gold-Salt Trade • Controlled and secured trade routes. • Also traded in ivory, slaves, horses, cloth, salt. • Conversion by emperors to Islam improved diplomatic and economic relations between West Africa and the Islamic World. The Empire of Ghana

  4. Achievements • Influenced by Muslims: • Military technology • Arabic writing • Architecture • Women had a high status and active role in market place The Empire of Ghana

  5. The Mali Empire1100-1400

  6. Mali Empire Political: • Ruled by powerful kings called Mansas. • Expanded territory and appointed governors to rule areas • Laws based on Muslim system of justice (The Quran) • Mansa Musa: Most powerful leader, converted to Islam and made pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

  7. Mali Empire Economic: • Controlled Gold Salt Trade: • Its wide variety of environments produced a wide variety of goods. • The rule of the Mansa (king) created peace and security for merchants to travel and trade freely. • As a result, merchants began to establish family firms, with different individuals settling in far-flung parts of the Mali empire to carry on trade. • Common items of exchange were kola nuts, butter, textiles and metal goods.

  8. Mali Empire Achievements: • Developed the city of Timbuktu which became a great trading city and center of Muslim learning. • Conversion to Islam and Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca brought world wide attention to West Africa • Made the need of a large population and a large army a permanent necessity for states in West Africa.

  9. Songhai Empire Political: • Sunni Ali- 1464 gained power and restored order • Powerful army used war and force to control region • Askia Muhammad- great leader who made pilgrimage to Mecca • Organized provinces and created a bureaucracy • Developed a code of laws based on Islam

  10. Songhai Empire Economic: • Controlled Gold Salt trade • Industrious farmers and skilled craftsmen in iron and copper • Slave trade developed • Merchants became very wealthy and influential • Timbuktu remained a major economic and cultural city Djenne Mosque

  11. Songhai Empire Achievements: • Encouraged Muslim Scholars to settle in Timbuktu • Timbuktu became a cultural and learning center • University of Sankore - study of medicine, grammar, literature • Expanded empire with the use of force

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