<span>Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance Philosopher and statesman, through his works he often argued that political life could perhaps be excused for performing violent and deceptive actions which would not be a right in private life. He described how neither moral or religious rules alone were sufficient in governing. Because of this Machiavelli was often criticized and misunderstood by critics of the time because of this view he had on the relationship between politics and ethics. He was regarded as opportunistic and manipulative for this reason.</span>
The Songhai Empire controlled the production and supply of Salt. This was a very important commodity which was known as white gold at the time.
At its peak the Songhai Empire was the largest and richest Empire in Africa and one of the most powerful in all of the Muslim world.
The cities of Timbuktu and Djenné became importing trading centers and remained one of the most important cities in Africa until the empire's demise.
Apart from salt, the empire grew rich due to its control over vast supplies of Gold, slaves, kola nuts, leather, and dates.
Eventually, the huge riches of the Empire attracted attention from other leaders of the region. In the last 20 years, the kings of Songhai were in constant feud with multinational armies which took a political and economic toll on the Empire.
Benjanin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union which was a plan<span> to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies, suggested by Benjamin Franklin, then a senior leader (age 45) and a delegate from Pennsylvania, at the </span>Albany<span>Congress in July 10, 1754 in </span>Albany<span>, New York.</span>
