Final answer:
The Empire of Mali's collapse was heavily influenced by internal fragmentation, loss of control over trade routes, and external pressures. The internal political instability post-Mansa Musa’s era and the external challenges ultimately led to the empire's demise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Of all the factors that led to the collapse of the Empire of Mali, the most significant would arguably be the internal fragmentation and weakening of central authority. When Mansa Musa I, the empire's most renowned ruler, passed, the consistency in strong leadership faltered. This lack of authoritarian stability made the empire vulnerable to external threats and revolts from within, which were challenging to manage without a strong centralized government. Additionally, the succession disputes and provincial independencies further compounded the political instability.
The loss of control over trade routes, which had made the empire exceptionally wealthy from gold and salt trades, significantly affected the economic power Mali held. As neighboring powers such as the Songhai Empire rose, they began to divert trade routes and resources away from Mali, causing a severe economic downturn.
Lastly, the repeated invasions and pressures from external forces, specifically the Berber and Tuareg nomadic groups, exacerbated the empire's ability to maintain territorial integrity. The inability to resist these forces led to the loss of key areas, which signaled the final downfall of the Empire of Mali.