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William M. Tweed was a boss of a political machine. Tweed was a very infamous political boss who had immense control over the powerful Democratic machine in the New York city. He was born on 3rd of April in the year 1823 and died on 12th of April in the year 1878.
Trading helped them rise since they were immensely rich in things like Salt which was even worth more than gold in many parts of the world. Having secure trade routes and taxing traders made the country rich and powerful. This led to the decline since such wealth meant that many foreign enemies would want to attack them and take it from them which is what happened to both Mali and Songhai empires.