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Famous Empires of Africa

Famous Empires of Africa . Aksum, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali and Songhai. Aksum: ~100-940 AD. Geographically Lucky: Environment allowed for farming Near the Red Sea (easy to trade) Political Structure: King only could directly control people in the city of Aksum.

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Famous Empires of Africa

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  1. Famous Empires of Africa Aksum, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali and Songhai

  2. Aksum: ~100-940 AD • Geographically Lucky: • Environment allowed for farming • Near the Red Sea (easy to trade) • Political Structure: • King only could directly control people in the city of Aksum. • Forced tribute from surrounding areas • Religion: • King Enzana converted to Christianity (around 300 AD) • Downfall: • Fell to invading Muslims between 600-700 AD

  3. Ethiopia: ~1100-1974 • Created from ancient Aksum • Christianity was a unifying force • Solomonid Kings – claimed to be descendants from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba • One of the only areas of Africa to never be colonized by Europeans

  4. Ghana ~830-1235 • Traded salt from the north for gold- then traded salt with southern civilizations - kings made money by heavily taxing the salt • Kings also kept the location of the gold mines a secret and outlawed the ownership of gold – this kept the supply scarce and the price high • Decline: • Used military force to maintain safe trade routes • This started a conflict with a northern Berber empire that eventually captured Ghana’s capital city in 1076- this was the beginning of the end

  5. Mali ~1230-1600 • Rose from the ashes of Ghana – also traded gold and salt • Notable Leaders: • Sundiata (Soohn-jaht-ah) ruled for 25 years. • Mansa Musa: • Hajji of 1324 • gold impressed the world – soon Europeans were searching for this wealthy, exotic land • Decline: • Weak leadership • Invasion of the capital, Timbuktu, signaled the end was near

  6. Songhai ~1340-1591 • Survived as a tribute kingdom among Ghana and Mali for hundreds of years • Traded along the Niger River • Sunni Ali – • Created a fierce cavalry and “navy” • conquered others to create his empire • Askia Muhammad • First Muslim Ruler • Hajji to Mecca created better trading roots • Overthrown by his son who was not a good ruler • In 1591 Morocco conquered the empire

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