Vasco de Gama was the first explorer to reach India
The Church was extremely influential during the medieval ages. They held the ability to disperse information because churches were scattered all over Europe. This enabled their network of monks and priests to share information very fast. Furthermore, they collected taxes from peasants very often in the form of goods (farm produce for example), this made them very rich. They also had control over decisions which different rulers did as they could exile them which wasn't something any ruler wanted.
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Explanation:
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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.