10-Mark Questions: "Assess the importance of..."

  1. Assess the importance of the decline of the Mali Empire to the rise of Songhay.

    • Focus: The power vacuum, the loss of control over the "Golden Triangle" (Gao, Timbuktu, Jenne), and the independence of the Tuareg.

  2. Assess the importance of Sonni Ali’s military leadership in the expansion of Songhay.

    • Focus: His 28-year undefeated streak, the use of the river navy, and his capture of Timbuktu and Jenne.

  3. Assess the importance of the Niger River to the rise of the Songhay Empire.

    • Focus: Communication, the Sorko fishermen/navy, and the transport of gold and salt.

  4. Assess the importance of Askiya Mohammed’s 1493 coup in the development of the empire.

    • Focus: The shift from the Sonni dynasty to the Askiya dynasty and the change in religious/administrative direction.

  5. Assess the importance of the capture of Jenne in 1473.

    • Focus: Economic wealth, strategic control of the southern trade, and the symbolic end of Malian influence.

  6. Assess the importance of Islam in consolidating the power of Askiya Mohammed I.

    • Focus: The Hajj (1497), the title of "Caliph of the Sudan," and the support of the Ulama (scholars).

20-Mark Questions: "To what extent..." or "How far..."

These are the "Thematic" questions. You must compare the factor named in the question against at least two other factors.

  1. "The rise of the Songhay Empire in the period 1464–1528 was primarily due to the military genius of Sonni Ali." How far do you agree?

    • Comparison: Sonni Ali’s conquests vs. Askiya Mohammed’s administration vs. Economic factors.

  2. To what extent was the growth of the Songhay Empire dependent on the control of the trans-Saharan trade?

    • Comparison: Trade/Wealth vs. Military force vs. Religious legitimacy.

  3. "Askiya Mohammed I was more significant than Sonni Ali in the establishment of a powerful Songhay state." How far do you agree?

    • Comparison: Conquest (Ali) vs. Stability/Administration (Mohammed).

  4. How far was the rise of the Songhay Empire the result of the weakness of its enemies?

    • Comparison: Weakness of Mali/Mossi/Tuareg vs. Internal Songhay strengths (Military/Politics).

  5. "Religious policy was the most important factor in the successful expansion of the Songhay Empire." How far do you agree with reference to the period 1464–1528?

    • Comparison: Use of Islam (Askiya) vs. Traditional/Syncretic beliefs (Ali) vs. Military might.

  6. To what extent was the administrative centralization of the empire the main reason for its rise to power by 1528?

    • Comparison: Bureaucracy (ministers/governors) vs. Military conquest vs. Economic resources.