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Songhai Essay Practice

Songhai empire

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Hlavutelo Ngobeni
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30 views1 page

Songhai Essay Practice

Songhai empire

Uploaded by

Hlavutelo Ngobeni
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The political, economic and social features of the Songhai made the Songhai

Empire one of the most powerful empires of its time.


Do you agree or disagree with the above statement?

It can be argued that the Songhai Empire was one of the most powerful empires of
its time. The political, economic and social features of the Songhai Empire allowed it
to grow into an empire that spanned vast areas of West Africa. A well organised
government created a strong economy and the advanced social status of the empire
created a great appeal for people around the world.
The Songhai Empire had a well organised government. When the new government
of the empire took over it focused on creating a stable trade throughout the Songhai
Empire. It gave many rights to the people of the empire and empowered ‘provinces’
to have governors who could make decisions on what was best for that area. This
organisation within the government allowed the Songhai Empire to flourish and it
grew in strength at a rapid pace.
Economically the Songhai were exceptionally gifted. The occupation of towns on the
edge of the Sahara Desert was advantageous to trans-Saharan trade. This allowed
the Songhai Empire to trade with people from North Africa and the Middle East. The
slave trade was especially lucrative and the Songhai benefitted from the constant
need for slaves in Arabic nations. This trade that existed allowed the Songhai to
develop into a nation with a vibrant economy, therefore creating the potential for the
Songhai Empire to develop into one of the world’s most powerful nations.
Timbuktu was a hub of learning activity and Islamic culture was promoted. The
culture of learning that was developed in the Songhai Empire attracted many great
scholars from around the world. People came to Timbuktu to study at the great
university and this allowed for a great sharing of knowledge. Historical manuscripts
have shown Timbuktu to be a centre of knowledge in the fields of mathematics and
engineering. The continued advancement of social intellectualism in the Songhai
Empire created a belief of greatness in its own people which in turn allowed for the
progression and growth of the Songhai Empire into a nation to rival any other.
Based on the evidence that is available one can see that the Songhai Empire was
indeed one of the most powerful empires of its time. It’s well controlled and creative
government, strong economic policy and practice as well as the advanced social
status of citizens and guests within the Songhai Empire ensured that the empire
prospered into one of the greatest empires of its time, not only for Africa, but indeed
for the rest of the world as well.

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