SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SONGHAI, GHANA AND MALI EMPIRES
SIMILARITIES The three empires were located close to the Niger River; they developed from the same Western Sudan region. The peopling of Ghana, Mali and Songhai Empires was similar. The three empires controlled the salt and gold trade. They were all strongly involved in the trans-Saharan trade. The three empires rose to their peak at different periods. They all declined as a result of certain similar weaknesses. They all had clans and heterogeneous populations. They were all dynastic empires and centralised states. Ghana, Mali and Songhai empires were important in the history of Western Sudan. The three empires relied heavily on trade. They all produced gold which made them to…
SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF GHANA EMPIRE
SOCIAL FACTORS In historical movement, empires and kingdoms usually rose to their peaks and then began to experience decline or fall no matter how highly developed the empire or kingdom had been. This was the case of the Old Ghana Empire which rose to its peak in 11th century, wielded a lot of influence and authority in the Western Sudan, and expanded its territories to neighbouring areas. The empire began to fall in the early 13th century until it finally collapsed in 1240A.D. The following factors were responsible for the fall or decline of the Old Ghana Empire. Vastness of the empire: The Old Ghana Empire, with the help of…
SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE OF GHANA EMPIRE
SOCIAL FACTORS Some factors usually work together to lead to the rise or expansion of empires in history. The following factors were responsible for the rise of the Old Ghana Empire reaching its peak of power and glory around the 11th century in the Western Sudan. Many neighbouring groups looked up to Old Ghana Empire for protection and paid tributes to the king. These factors included: Fertile land for Agriculture: Like in most West African areas, the land of Ghana Empire was fertile for agricultural activities. The people engaged in farming for consumption and trade. This contributed to their economic development. They exchanged agricultural products for other products. Presence of…
LOCATION AND ORIGIN OF OLD GHANA EMPIRE
The old Ghana Empire was one of the vibrant empires in the Western Sudan or West Africa. The empire existed between 400A.D and 1200A.D. It was located strategically between the Sahara and Senegal and Niger River. This area now comprised the modern day Mauritania and Mali. The capital of the old Ghana Empire was Koumbi Saleh. Gold and salt productions were popular in the empire. The introduction of camels for transport gave old Ghana Empire more leverage in the trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt. The wealth from these resources made the empire rich, powerful and great. The area named Koumni Saleh, the capital of the empire, represented the location…
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