A. P. E. P. We need YOUR help!!! Unless we learn about the Songhai Empire and at the end of the day, everyone learns something about the lesson then Earth is DOOMED!!!

The A. P. E. P. A.P.E.P is short for: Agent Pros Educating Peeps The other day, we received a message from the aliens, saying if we can’t teach a group of kids about the Songhai Empire then they’ll take over our planet! So we need to learn about how the Songhai Build An Empire! And if we do that successfully, no one will die!

Are you able to learn this lesson and save Earth?

The Songhai Empire! From the BEGINNING! While Mali was reaching its height, a rival was forming. The rival was the Songhai Kingdom. From capital of Gao, Songhai used the same trade that made Ghana and Mali so rich. In the 1300s Songhai became so rich and powerful that it drew the attention of the rulers in Mali. Mansa Musa, then, sent his army to conquer Songhai and make their lands part of his empire. Gao became one of the most important cities in Mali.

The Birth Of The Empire! The Songhai didn't stay part of Mali's empire for very long. As Mali's government grew weaker, the people of Songhai rose up against it to regain their freedom. Even before they were conquered by Mali, the leaders of the Songhai had become Muslims. The Songhai shared a common religion with many Berbers who crossed Sahara to trade in West Africa. Because of this, the Berbers were willing to trade with Songhai. And this was the start to how they began to grow richer.

Growth And Conquest! As Songhai grew richer from trans-Saharan trade, they expanded their territory as they built an empire. Songhai's growth was mostly because of one man, Sunni Ali. He became the ruler of Songhai in Before Sunni Ali took over, Songhai had been disorganized and was run poorly. He would constantly work to bring together, strengthen, and enlarge the empire. A lot of the land that Sunni Ali added to his empire had been part of Mali. He conquered the wealthy trade cities of Timbuktu and Djenne. In 1468 the rulers of Mali asked Sunni Ali to help fight off Turaeg, invaders who were about to capture Timbuktu. Sunni Ali agreed to this, but once he had driven off the invaders he decided to keep the city for himself. Then he launched attacks against Djenne, which he finally captured five years later. Sunni Ali encouraged all of the people in his empire to work together. As a result, he brought peace and stability to Songhai.

FAIL or SUCCESS???! Now, you either failed or succeeded. If you have the following main ideas and points of this lesson, then Earth is saved and you’re not a failure! If you don’t have these main ideas then…

MAIN IDEAS!!!

Mali was reaching its height, rival power growing in the area, rival was Songhai Kingdom. By 1300s Songhai became rich and powerful enough to draw attention of Mail's rulers Mansa Musa sent his army to conquer Songhai and make their lands part of his empire, Gao became one of the most important cities in all of Mali. Songhai didn't remain part of Mali's empire for long, as Mali's government grew weaker, the people of Songhai rose up against it regained their freedom Even before they were conquered by Mali, the leaders of the Songhai had become Muslims. Songhai's growth was largely the work of one man, Sunni Ali who became the ruler of Songhai in 1464.

GREAT NEWS!!! From the BOSS! All A.P.E.P!! It turns out, the message that we got from the aliens was a PRANK!!! HAH! Aliens didn’t send us ANYTHING! Wow… Well, it’s a good thing everyone learned all of that great information! Isn’t it?! Love, THE BOSS OF A.P.E.P

It turns out, aliens aren’t going to invade Earth after all!! Yay! Thanks for your time and participation!