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The Ghana Empire was a powerful force in West Africa from the 8th to the 13th centuries. Here are four important events that occurred during this time period.
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The Ghana Empire
The Ghana Empire was a West African state that existed from the 6th to the 13th century. It was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. During its time, the Ghana Empire was the largest and most powerful empire in West Africa. It was famous for its wealth, powerful army, and beautiful art.
The rise of the Ghana Empire
The Ghana Empire was founded c. 750 by Sundiata Keita, the grandson of Abu Bakr II. The name of the empire derives from the ancient Ghana country that once encompassed the southwestern portion of the Sahara Desert and parts of present-day Mauritania and Senegal. The empire was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania and northwestern Mali. At its greatest extent, it covered an area approximately twice the size of modern Germany.
The fall of the Ghana Empire
The fall of the Ghana Empire was a gradual process that began in the 12th century. The empire reached its peak in the 11th century, but by the 12th century, it was in decline. Several factors contributed to its decline, including overuse of resources, internal conflict, and external pressure from other African states. The empire was eventually conquered by the Mandinka people in 1240.
The Mali Empire
The Ghana Empire was founded by Sundiata Keita in 1240. It was located in the western Sudan, between the Niger and Senegal rivers. The empire rose to power after Sundiata Keita defeated Sumanguru Kanté, the ruler of the Mandinka people. The Mali Empire reached its peak during the reign of Mansa Musa I, who ruled from 1312 to 1337.
The rise of the Mali Empire
The Mali Empire was founded in the 13th century by Sundiata Keita, and reached its height under Mansa Musa in the 14th century. The Mali Empire was located in West Africa, stretching from present-day Senegal in the west to Niger in the east. It covered an area of nearly 1.5 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest empires in african history. The Mali Empire was a Muslim state, and its rulers developed a reputation for religious tolerance. Under Mansa Musa, the empire became wealthy through trade,particularly Gold and Salt trade with North Africa and Arabia. The Mali Empire declined in the 15th century due to internal conflict and civil war.
The fall of the Mali Empire
The Mali Empire began to crumble in the 1350s, when a series of weak rulers allowed neighboring kingdoms to encroach on their territory. In the early 15th century, the Songhai people, who lived in what is now western Africa, took control of the city of Timbuktu, an important center of learning and trade. This marked the end of Mali’s golden age. In 1591, the Songhai empire was itself conquered by Morocco.
The Songhai Empire
The Ghana Empire was a West African state located in present-day southeastern Mauritania and southwestern Mali. The empire grew out of the Soninke kingdom of Ghana. It reached its apogee in the 12th to 13th centuries. The name “Ghana” was used by Europeans to refer to the empire until the 19th century.
The rise of the Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire was a West African state that dominated the western Sahel region in the 15th and 16th centuries. The empire was founded by the Songhai people, who were led by Sunni Ali Ber (r. 1464–92), and reached its height under the third ruler Askia Muhammad I (r. 1493–1528). The empire extended from the Atlantic coast to Timbuktu and covered an area of 1.6 million square miles (4.1 million square kilometers). At its peak, it was one of the largest states in history.
The fall of the Songhai Empire
The fall of the Songhai Empire took place in 1591, after a Moroccan army invaded and captured the empire’s capital, Gao. The Moroccan army was led by Judar Pasha, and although the Songhai Empire put up a fight, they were ultimately defeated. This event marked the end of the Songhai Empire, which had been one of the largest empires in West Africa.
