1. The Empires of West Africa
Ghana
• Ghana was a vast trading empire in West Africa.
• Ghana grew wealthy from taxes placed on trade.
• A group of North Africans called Almoravids attacked Ghana and disturbed trade routes.
• The drop in trade led to Ghana's decline.
Mali
• Mali emerged when Ghana declined and became a powerful kingdom with a large trading route.
• King Mansa Musa brought Muslim architecture and culture to Mali.
• The capital of Mali, Timbuktu soon became the center of Islamic art and learning.
Songhai
• The Songhai people overthrew Mali rule and captured Timbuktu in 1468.
• The Songhai Empire was divided into provinces and everyone followed a legal system based on Islam.
• The Songhai Empire was defeated by Morocco in the late 1500s.