Songhay Empire (feb 1, 1464 – apr 1, 1591)

Description:

Based in the trading Gao, Songhay rulers built a flourishing city state by rejecting Mali authority and mounting raids into Mali territory. Sunni Ali embarked on a campaign to conquer his neighbours and consolidated control over the Songhay empire, while also conquering Timbuktu and Jenne Jeno. Sunni Ali appointed governors to see oversee provinces and instituted a hierarchy of command that turned the Songhay into an effective military force. Gao participated in lucrative trans-Saharan Trade that brought salt, textiles, and metal goods south in exchange for gold and slaves. Islam also served as a cultural foundation for cooperation with Muslim merchants in North Africa. The Songhay Empire fell when it was defeated a Moroccan army armed with muskets. Sub-Saharan Africa became divided into regional kingdoms and city states, with coastal states engaged in increased commercial relations with European merchant mariners. The increasing prominence of Atlantic trade in West African society worked against the formation of large imperial regimes like Mali and Songhay which relied on the control of Trans-Saharan trade with North Africa.

Added to timeline:

Date: