Mali Rise To Power Essay

The Niger River was the life-blood of Mali, and was imperative to helping the empire become prosperous and dominant. Mali lay along the upper Niger River and the fertile soil helped Mali to grow, and allowed the people to control trade on the winding body of water. However, Mali’s rise to power began under a ruler named Sundiata. When Sundiata was a child, a despotic ruler conquered Mali, but then later as an adult Sundiata built up an army and won back his country’s independence. In the 1230’s he vanquished nearby kingdoms including Ghana. Sundiata then took over the salt and gold trades, and worked to improve agriculture in Mali. In addition, to keep order in his flourishing kingdom, Sundiata took power away from local leaders. Each of these

As king, Sunni Ali encouraged the people of his empire to work together, and as a result of participating in both Muslim and the local religion, he brought stability to Songhai. Sunni Ali passed away in 1492, and was followed as king by his son, Sunni Baru. The people feared that he would not support them because he was not muslim, and rebelled. After overthrowing Sunni Baru, the leader of the rebellion, Muhammad Ture, chose the title askia, a high military rank. He eventually became known as Askia the Great. Under the rule of Askia the Great, Timbuktu thrived, drawing other’s to its universities, schools, libraries, and mosques. Much like Sundiata, to maintain order, he removed local leaders and appointed new governors who were loyal to him. In 1591, the Moroccan army set out to take control of Songhai’s salt mines. Sadly, the swords, spears, and bows used by Songhai’s warriors were no match for the Moroccan’s guns and cannons. Changes in trade patterns then finalized Songhai’s fall, and the period of appreciable kingdoms came to an end. West Africa’s prides and joys, laying defeated in the