What is the most important characteristic that results in a successful and great empire? Make the case for which of the three empires was the greatest. (Ghana, Mali, Songhai)

Topic Sentence:
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Support your response:
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Support your response:
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Give evidence for your answer:
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Conclusion sentence:
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Topic Sentence: The most important characteristic that results in a successful and great empire is strong leadership.

Support your response: Strong leadership is essential for the success of an empire as it sets the direction, establishes law and order, and ensures efficient governance.

Support your response: In the case of the three empires mentioned, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, strong leadership was indeed a crucial factor. Each empire had rulers who played significant roles in their rise and expansion.

Give evidence for your answer: For example, in the Ghana Empire, the ruler, known as the "Ghana of Gold," was responsible for centralizing power, establishing trade routes, and fostering economic growth through control over valuable resources such as gold and salt.

Furthermore, in the Mali Empire, Mansa Musa, one of the wealthiest and most powerful rulers in history, played a pivotal role in transforming Mali into a cultural and economic center. He implemented policies that promoted agriculture, trade, and the expansion of Islamic scholarship.

Similarly, in the Songhai Empire, Sunni Ali, a military strategist and skilled leader, expanded the empire through conquest, creating a centralized bureaucracy, and establishing a legal code to maintain order and stability.

Conclusion sentence: While all three empires had their unique contributions and achievements, it can be argued that the Mali Empire, under the leadership of Mansa Musa, stands as the greatest among them due to its economic prosperity, cultural influence, and the legacy it left behind in history. However, it's important to note that the greatness of an empire is subjective and can be evaluated from different perspectives.

Topic Sentence: The most important characteristic that results in a successful and great empire is strong political organization and administration.

Support your response: Strong political organization and administration is crucial in maintaining stability, unity, and efficient governance within an empire. This characteristic allows for effective implementation of policies, effective enforcement of laws, and efficient allocation of resources throughout the empire.

Support your response: In terms of strong political organization and administration, the Songhai Empire stands out as the greatest among the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires. The Songhai Empire had a highly efficient administrative system with a centralized government that was divided into various provinces, each with its own governor responsible for collection of taxes and enforcement of laws. This streamlined system allowed for efficient governance and strong control over the vast territories of the empire.

Give evidence for your answer: One significant piece of evidence is the establishment of a highly organized bureaucracy in the Songhai Empire. The empire had various administrative departments responsible for specific tasks such as finance, defense, agriculture, and justice. This ensured efficient management of resources and effective enforcement of laws throughout the empire.

Conclusion sentence: Although all three empires – Ghana, Mali, and Songhai – had their own significant contributions to the history of West Africa, the Songhai Empire's strong political organization and administration make it the greatest among the three.

Topic Sentence: The most important characteristic that results in a successful and great empire is strong leadership.

Support your response: Strong leadership is essential in an empire as it enables effective governance, decision-making, and the ability to marshal resources towards productive ends.

Support your response: Among the three empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, Mali is the greatest due to the exceptional leadership of Mansa Musa.

Support your response: Mansa Musa's reign from 1312 to 1337 is often regarded as the golden age of Mali. He successfully expanded the empire's territory, established trade routes, promoted education, and fostered a flourishing economy.

Give evidence for your answer: As evidence, Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 showcased his wealth and power. He distributed vast amounts of gold along the way, boosting Mali's reputation and establishing it as a major commercial and cultural center.

Conclusion sentence: In conclusion, strong leadership, exemplified by Mansa Musa's reign, was the most important characteristic that led to the greatness of Mali as an empire.