KEY QUESTIONS
What were the reasons for the rise of the Songhay Empire?
CONTENT
Reasons for the rise of the Songhay Empire:-
• Military success and use of cavalry
• Collapse of Mali Empire
• Leadership of Sonni Ali
• Sonni Ali’s predecessors
• Legal, administrative, cultural and intellectual strengths
• Geographical factors
• Weaknesses of neighbouring kingdoms
METHODOLOGY
1. Group work – produce an illustrated diagram showing the main reasons for the rise of the Songhay Empire. Each of the reasons should have supporting knowledge and a supported explanation linking the cause to the outcome
RESOURCES
Online:
E-Book: pp.9 – 11
Songhay Lesson 1 Presentation(PPT)
Songhay Lesson 2 Presentation(PPT)
Annenberg Learner (Mali and Songhay)
Evaluate the factors which contributed to the rise and fall of the Ancient African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai Author: Gervanna Stephens
The Kingdom of Songhay Author: Rupert Hopkins
Singleton: Rulers, Scholars and Invaders (JSTOR)
Book:
McKissack: The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhay Chs 5 and 6
Iliffe pp.73-74, 76, 77, 78, 80, 93, 94
Oliver and Atmore: The African Middle Ages pp.77-82
MARK SCHEME (a)
HOMEWORK
Exam Question:
Which of the following was more important in the rise of the Songhay Empire?
– collapse of Mali Empire
– military success