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300
The Beginning Of Ghana
Some of the earliest people in West Africa were the Soninke. They farmed land along the Niger river. The beginning of Ghana happened when the Soninke began banding together. Their popuation grew because of there of advanced iron tools and their surplus amounts of food. Because of Ghana's location it could trade for the two most valuable resources, gold and salt. Ghana created a powerful army equipped with iron weapons that allowed them to take control of most trade routes in the area. -
Jan 1, 800
Rich And Powerful (Ghana)
By 800, Ghana took control of West Africa's trade routes. Most of the trade routes passed through Ghana. Also Ghana found a way to make money off of those traders. Ghana taxed the traders for what they brought in and out of Ghana. All of these ultimately made Ghana very rich. -
Jan 1, 1200
The Fall Of Ghana
Three main factors caused Ghana's decline. The Almoravids attacked Ghana and after 14 years they defeated Ghana. They cut off trade routes as well. Also, the Almoravids brought herds of animals that ate most of the grass in Ghana, making the soil worthless for farming. Finally, there was internal rebellion when people of a country that Ghana conquered rose up and conquered Ghana. -
Jan 1, 1230
The Beginning Of Mali
Sundiata made an army that defeated the rulers who conquered Mali. He then used that army to conquer surrounding areas, including Ghana. Because of this, Mali took over the salt and gold trade and became a prosperous empire. Also, Sundiata improved Agriculture in Mali. -
Jan 1, 1300
Mansa Musa (Mali)
Mansa Musa added many important trade cities to the Mali Empire. He made Mali famous by giving out an ample amount of gold to areas he passed by. Also, he spread the religion Islam wherever he went. He also made education important in Mali. -
Jan 1, 1400
Beginning Of Songhai
In the 1300s Mansa Musa conquered Songhai, but in the 1400s Mali weakened so Songhai found an opening to attack and they got their freedom back. Songhai participated in the same trade that made Ghana and Mali rich. But they also traded with Muslim lands because there leaders were also Muslim. In 1464, Sunni Ali became ruler and he worked to strengthen and make his empire larger. He participated in both Islam and local religions to create religious harmony. -
Jan 1, 1492
Askia The Great (Songhai)
After Sunni Ali died, his son took the throne. But, he was not a Muslim so the people of Songhai rebelled against him and the leader of the rebellion Muhammad Ture (Askia The Great) became the ruler of Songhai. Askia supported education and under his rule Timbuktu flourished for it's universities. Askia also supported the growth of Islam. To help keep order, Askia split Songhai into 5 provinces, appointed new leaders, and created a professional army. -
Jan 1, 1500
The Fall Of Mali
After Mansa Musa died, his son took the throne. But, he wasn't a strong ruler. Raiders from the southeast destroyed Timbuktu's great schools and mosques. The Taureg nomads took control of Timbuktu and soon Mali's empire broke apart. -
The Fall Of Songhai
A rival of Songhai, Morocco wanted to take control of Songhai's salt mines. Because of the guns and cannons of the Moroccans, they could easily destroy Timbuktu and Gao. The last reason for the decline of Songhai is how the trade routes changed. This is because African traders south of Songhai and European traders preferred to trade at Atlantic ports to trade with Muslim traders.
