Final answer:
Between c.1200 and c.1450, the sub-Saharan empires like the Kingdom of Ghana, Mali Empire, and Songhai Empire made significant contributions to trade, architecture, governance, and learning, particularly in cities like Timbuktu. Their rise was largely due to the control of trans-Saharan trade routes, and their decline was influenced by internal strife and external pressures such as the European arrival and the slave trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evaluating Sub-Saharan Empires' Achievements (c.1200-c.1450)
The sub-Saharan region witnessed the rise and fall of various powerful empires between c.1200 and c.1450. The Kingdom of Ghana, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire were particularly noteworthy for their economic, cultural, and political achievements.
The Kingdom of Ghana established itself by capitalizing on the lucrative trans-Saharan trade, dealing in gold and salt. This wealth supported the growth of strong political structures and urban centers. During this period, Great Zimbabwe also flourished, with stone complexes that symbolize the advanced architectural achievements of the region.
The Mali Empire, which rose after the decline of Ghana, is celebrated for its affluence from trade and conversion to Islam. It's perhaps most famously represented by the reign of Mansa Musa, remembered for his pilgrimage to Mecca and the resulting spread of knowledge and culture. Its cities, like Timbuktu and Djenné, became hubs of Islamic learning, with impressive mosques and libraries that attracted scholars from across the Islamic world.
The successor to Mali, the Songhai Empire, expanded to an unparalleled size in West Africa, with a bureaucratic system that bolstered trade. Sunni Ali and Askia the Great furthered Songhai's prosperity and intellectual reputation. However, internal strife and external pressures eventually led to their decline. Notably, the arrival of Europeans and the increase in the transatlantic slave trade dramatically altered the region's dynamics.
Overall, these empires' ability to manage trade routes, maintain political control, and foster cultural and intellectual growth illustrate their substantial achievements in this era.