Political, Economic, etc

Question 1

Political development of the Songhay empire

Answer 1

• divided into 8 provinces including katala and tondi, with local cheifs recognising the authority of the emperor
• regular voyages and the establishment of royal residences in key privinces like Dirma consolidated royal authority
• central administration run from Gao whcih housed imperial offices and an impieral council called sounna provided structured governance framework
• under muhammed ture new officies such as kanfari (viceroy) were established to govern western provinces

Question 2

Military development

Answer 2

• calvary was imported from asia via the transaharn trade
• calavrly wore iron armous, breastplates, spears
• calvary commander - baray-koi

used for military campaigns e.g. katsina and kano 1514

Question 3

Economic

Answer 3

• niger river - heart of trade and transport
• revenue though salt imports and gold trade
• -Tax collection,qadis, and standardised weights, and currencies was well-organized, with officials stationed at key points like salt mines (Taghāza) and markets along the Niger.

Question 4

Geography

Answer 4

• Between sahel and sahara - link to trans saharan trade
• Songhai could monopolise the trans saharan trade because the berbers knew the desserts well - used thousands of camels and travelled between oases
  Niger river allowed for use of navy and linked to trade routes and centres