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The kingdom united several smaller kingdoms up near the Niger river. This river was protected by a well trained army benefiting from being right in the middle of trade routes. Cresques included an image of Musa wearing a gold crown, holding more gold in his hand.Islamic learning centers, schools, and universities, and the grandest library in all of Africa were a direct result of Mensa Muss's rule and made Mali into a multilingual and multi ethnic kingdom.

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“The Mali Empire.” Nationalgeographic.org, 2022, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mali-empire/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.

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Mali Empire - World History Encyclopedia

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Mali Empire - World History Encyclopedia

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Cartwright, Mark. “Mali Empire.” World History Encyclopedia, Mar. 2019, www.worldhistory.org/Mali_Empire/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.

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Settles, Joshua, and Ferlin McGaskey. Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange the Impact of Colonialism on African Economic Development. 1996.

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In 1240, the old Ghana capital was captured by Sundiata. This lead to a prospering economy because of all the wealth that was trasnferred. For example, the King was aided by people called granaires (a treasury). With this help the King was able to further monopolize certain trade goods from Mali's natural resources (salt, marble etc).

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In 1880, the Euopean colinization was driven to control the Mali economic trade routes even more. For example, because Europe was developing, they still needed the resources that came from Mali at this time. While Euope began to control more of the trade mamnagemnt, less resources were used inside of Mali, and more of these resources were exported. This led to Mali being more dependant on Europe for economic density.

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Pottery and sculpture were produced, in the 9th century. Sculptures were generally up to 50 cm tall and made up of solid pottery, but sometimes iron rod interior. Wood and brass were also popular materials for sculptures to a less degree of stone.

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Sundiata Keita was a prince in Mali. Sundiata was able to form a alliance betwen other powerful individuals and leaders which eventually led to the defeat of the Sosso. The Sosso was a seperate Kingdom with controversial rule. When Sundiata and his aliance defeated the Sosso, it led to a centralized govermnet made up of other tribal leaders and some Arab merchants. This appritication of Sundiata also caused a pattern of future kings being chosen by the Keita clan. Which was Sundiata's following.

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After Mansa Musa's death around 1337, a decline in proper leadership happened. After this reign ended, other trade routes became more prominet and ended up slowing further prosperity in Mali. The Songhay Emipire would also end up conquering this area of Mali causing the old government system of Keita's clan to come to an end.