Mali Empire Flashcards
Who was Sundiata?
Sundiata was a ruler who made Mali into an empire.
How did Mali’s rise to power begin?
Mali was located along the upper Niger River. The area’s fertile soil helped Mali grow. Mali also controlled trade on the river. After Sundiata conquered Ghana, Mali took over the gold and salt trades. Sundiata also worked to improve agriculture and even introduced cotton as a crop. Sundiata also made it a priority to help feed the Mali people.
How did Sundiata ensure his power as the ruler?
Sundiata took away the powers of local leaders. He also took the tile of mansa. A mansa had both political and religious power. It was believed a mansa could help people keep in touch with their ancestors and spirits of the land. They believed that the spirts would make sure the land would provide plenty of food.
What steps did Sundiata take to turn Mali into an empire?
Sundiata took control of trade routes after the fall of Ghana. He also took over the gold and salt trades. He also improved agriculture to both increase trade and to feed the people of Mali. To keep order and to protect his authority he took away the authority of local leaders and took the title of mansa (which was both a political and religious title). All of the rulers that followed him also took the title of mansa.
Who was the most famous ruler of Mali?
Mansa Musa was the Muslim king that led Mali to the height of its wealth, power and fame in the 1300s. Mansa Musa ruled for 25 years and during that time his army capture many important trade cities including Timbuktu, Gao and Djenne.
How did Mansa Musa influence the spread of Islam through a large part of West Africa?
1) He went on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. His hajj made him and the empire of Mali famous.
2) He supported education. He sent scholars to study Islam in Morocco and later those scholars set up schools in Mali.
3) He built mosques throughout his empire.
4) Islam became very popular in Mali and Muslims from Asia, Egypt and other parts of Africa visited Mali which created more trade and made Mali richer.
How did Mali’s growth eventually weaken the empire?
1) Poor Leadership: After Mansa Musa died, the rulers of Mali were weak and poor leaders. Raiders set great schools and mosques on fire and Mali never fully recovered.
2) Empire was too large: The Mali government could no longer control the empire. Parts of the empire began to break away.
3) Invaders- Invaders weakened the empire. The Tuareg attacked and took Timbuktu. The Kingdom of Takrur declared independence. The kingdoms living at the edges of the empire broke away, too. By 1500 most of the empire lands were lost.
