Which brought an end to the great West African empires?

The great West African empires, such as the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires, declined primarily due to a combination of internal strife, external invasions, and economic changes. The rise of European colonial powers and the transatlantic slave trade further destabilized these empires, leading to weakened trade routes and loss of resources. Additionally, the shift in trade patterns towards coastal regions diminished their economic power. Ultimately, these factors contributed to the fragmentation and decline of these once-mighty empires.