Which factor contributed to songhais downfall as a powerful empire
There were multiple factors that contributed to the downfall of the Songhai Empire as a powerful empire:
1. Internal divisions and weak leadership: After the death of Emperor Askia the Great in 1528, the Songhai Empire faced a period of succession struggles and weak leadership. This internal division weakened the empire and made it vulnerable to external threats.
2. Moroccan invasion: In 1591, the Moroccan army, led by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur, invaded the Songhai Empire. The Moroccans possessed advanced weaponry, including matchlock muskets and cannons, which gave them a significant military advantage over the Songhai forces. This invasion resulted in the fall of the Songhai capital Gao and the end of Songhai's political independence.
3. Economic decline: The Songhai Empire relied heavily on control over the trans-Saharan trade routes, especially the gold and salt trade. However, by the 16th century, European powers, such as Portugal and Spain, started to bypass these trade routes by sea, directly affecting the economic prosperity of the Songhai Empire. This decline in trade reduced the empire's revenue and weakened its economic and political power.
4. Internal unrest and rebellion: The Songhai Empire was a vast territory with diverse ethnic groups and governing structures. Over time, dissatisfaction grew among these various groups, leading to internal unrest and rebellions. These internal conflicts weakened the central authority of the empire and made it difficult to maintain control over the vast territories.
Overall, a combination of weak leadership, external invasion, economic decline, and internal unrest contributed to the downfall of the Songhai Empire as a powerful empire.