Songhay's rise Flashcards
(29 cards)
What were the 6 reasons for the growth of Songhay?
Sonni Ali’s leadership
Sonni Ali’s predecessors
Military strength
Geography
Fall of Mali empire
Legal, administrative and cultural strength.
How did the fall of Mali lead to the growth of the Songhay empire?
1433-34 Mali abandoned control of Timbuktu to the Tuaregs. Mansa Musa’s sons couldn’t control Mali anymore.
Gold trade shifted east towards Songhay.
Songhay was a province of Mali. Gao princes escaped and formed Songhay.
How did Sonni Ali’s leadership lead to the growth of the Songhay empire?
He was a well thought out tactician. He initially secured the borders from the Fulani, Dogon and Mossi before securing important towns of Djenne and Timbuktu.
He negotiated with Europeans to pre-empt Portuguese alliance with Mandika.
Great military commander and a diplomat.
‘always the conqueror, never the conquered’
‘empire builder’
How was military strength influential in the growth of Songhay?
Professional soldiers were trained in army camps.
Fast and tough cavalry and well armed foot soldiers.
Sorko boatmen were transformed into a professional navy.
Important bc;
A massive army took timbuktu in 1468 without resistance.
Djenne was taken in 1473.
Azwad conquered.
1483-86 a subdued Mossi was annexed.
How did Sonni Ali’s predecessors cause the growth of Songhay?
Sonni Muhammad D’ao.
Sonni Muadawu - Niani
Sonni Sulayman Dama - Mema.
They weakened Mali and laid foundations for further expansion.
How is the geography of Songhay affecting it’s growth?
On the Niger bend, fertile land, ideally placed for trans-saharan trade and horse breeding.
Important bc;
River used to transport and wage war on neighboring territories.
Prosperous economy.
Lucrative salt and gold trade,
Strong cavalry
How did legal, cultural and administrative strengths lead to the growth of songhay?
Songhay was split into 8 regions. Imperial administrative offices and the Sounna based in Gao. Administrative titles were based on trade and military.
Important because it meant Songhay was able to keep control of its ever-in growing empire despite raids and rebellions from neighbours.
When did the Ghanaian Empire rise?
C10
When was the Mali Empire founded and by who?
c1235, Sunjata Keita
Why did Mali flourish?
Due to control of trans-Saharan gold trade.
What were the meeting points for the salt and gold trade?
Djenne for gold and Taghaza for salt.
When did Mansa Musa go on a pilgrimage to Mecca?
1321
When did the power of Mali Empire begin to wane and where did power shift to?
c15, Gao
Who raided Mali and took control of Timbuktu and when? What significance did it have?
Tuareg nomads in 1433-34. Weakened Mali.
When did Sonni Mohammad Da’o lead an expedition against Mali? What was the significance of it?
Early 1400s.
He took prisoners.
Showed Songhay’s power.
Why did Songhay begin to break away from Mali in the 1430s?
The Gao princes escaped and began to exploit the weakness of Mali.
When did Sonni Sulayman destroy Mema?
1460
When did Sonni Ali come to power?
1464
When did Sonni Ali conquer Djenne? Why was it important?
1472, after a 7 year 7 month 7 day siege. Djenne was meeting place for gold trade.
When did Sonni Ali conquer Timbuktu?
1468
What are the two positive quotes associated with Sonni Ali?
Empire builder
Always the conqueror, never the conquered
What was the condition like for muslim scholars (ulemas) in Timbuktu in 1468-73?
They were harshly oppressed, mainly for their support of the Tuaregs.
What was the negative quote about Sonni Ali’s oppression of ulemas?
Man of great strength and colossal energy, a tyrant … an aggressor.
What were Sonni Ali’s religious associations?
Weak attachment to Islam but retained religious beliefs and customs.
