Songhai

Gao

Capital of their empire

Askia Muhammad

He led a revolt against Sunni Ali's son (because he wasn't Muslim enough). He proved to be an excellent administrator (he set up a tax system and chose officials).

Songhai people

In the east. They built an army and extended their territory to the large bend in the Niger River near Gao. They gained control of the all-important trade routes. Gao was the capital of their empire

1468

Sunni Ali captured Timbuktu (Mali's city). Five years later he took Djenné (a trade city that had a university). Married its queen.

Sunni Ali (1464-1494ish)

Built a vast empire by military conquest with aggressive leadership (Muslim)

Askia Muhammad's government

A centralized government (created by Sunni Ali). Government thrived, but they lacked modern weapons (GUNS).

END of Songhai empire- 1591

Moroccan fighting force with gunpowder and cannons crossed the Sahara and invaded Songhai. Songhai warrior were armed only with swords and spears. Resulted with a 1,000-year period in which powerful kingdoms/ empires ruled the central region of West Africa