4.  Sonni Ali’s goal was to conquer Timbuktu but it
was taken over by the Tuaregs. In 1428 Sonni
Ali conquered Timbuktu together with his cavalry
and infantry.
 The wealthy trading city of Djenne was Sonni
Ali’s next target.
 After conquering Djenne, rulers of Songhai
conquered even more territories making it the
largest empire.

6. Askia
Mohammad
 Improved system of
government.
 Strengthened Islam.
 Encouraged Islamic
scholarships.

7.  After Sonni Ali’s death, his son ruled for a few
months but was deposed by Askia Muhammad.
 Askia Muhammad gave the empire an improved
system of government and strengthened Islam.
 Since the wealth of the empire depended on
commerce and trade, fair method of taxation and
an efficient system of communications.

8.  Moroccans was jealous of Songhai and since
Askia Muhammad’s successors weren’t able to
hold together the empire so it was invaded by
the Moroccans.
 The Moroccans captured Timbuktu and other
cities but they weren’t also able to hold the
empire together.
 As the empire collapsed, it’s once thriving cities
slowly declined.

9. Timbuktu
Gold from the south, salt from
the north.

10. However, Timbuktu
then was taken over
by the Tuaregs.
Fellow Muslims
described Sonni Ali
as a tyrant.
Timbuktu was
attacked and
captured by Sonni
Ali in 1468.

11. Djenne
 This wealthy city became next the target of
Sonni Ali.
 Songhai dominated the trans-Saharan trading
routes.