Final answer:
The Songhai Kingdom was an empire in West Africa that rose to power by capitalizing on the decline of the Mali Empire, strategically controlling trade routes, and expanding territory. It became a center for Islamic learning and trade, with cities like Timbuktu and Djenné flourishing under its rule. Ultimately, it fell to Moroccan forces in the 16th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Songhai Kingdom was an empire in West Africa which became more powerful than the Mali Empire through a series of conquests and strategic control of vital trade routes. Originating from the same region as its predecessor, the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire rose to prominence by capitalizing on the wealth of the trans-Saharan trade, encompassing salt, gold, and cloth. Under the rule of Sunni Ali and later Askia the Great, Songhai expanded its territory to become one of the largest empires in African history. Its rulers grew rich from trade and tribute, and its cities, such as Timbuktu and Djenné, became renowned centers of Islamic learning.
The decline of the Mali Empire, weakened by succession struggles and external pressures from nomadic raids, provided an opportunity for the Songhai to assert their dominance. The empire's rulers replaced local kings and chieftains with governors, centralizing control and ensuring the profitability of trade. By the mid-15th century, Songhai controlled important trade cities like Timbuktu, further bolstering its economic might.
Unfortunately, despite its grandeur and significance, the Songhai Empire's reign was eventually brought to an end by an invasion from Moroccan forces in the 16th century, leading to the fragmentation of the empire into smaller kingdoms and clans.