| Line 39: |
Line 39: |
| | The '''Republic of Mali''' is a largely-[[Muslim]] country located in West [[Africa]]. The legendary city of [[Timbuktu]] (or Tombouktou) was once a center of trade and education. [[Ibn Battuta]], a Muslim traveler who toured the Islamic regions of the world around 1352, wrote of his admiration of Mali. It thrived under strong rulers and the very active [[gold]]-[[salt]] trade across the [[Sahara]]. Trade was based on leopard skins, slaves, pepper, ivory, bronze, brass and copper. | | The '''Republic of Mali''' is a largely-[[Muslim]] country located in West [[Africa]]. The legendary city of [[Timbuktu]] (or Tombouktou) was once a center of trade and education. [[Ibn Battuta]], a Muslim traveler who toured the Islamic regions of the world around 1352, wrote of his admiration of Mali. It thrived under strong rulers and the very active [[gold]]-[[salt]] trade across the [[Sahara]]. Trade was based on leopard skins, slaves, pepper, ivory, bronze, brass and copper. |
| | | | |
| − | The modern state of Mali - known as [[French Sudan]] until the country gained independence from [[France]] in 1960 - took its name from the former Kingdom. The capital city is Bamako. | + | The modern state of Mali - known as French Sudan until the country gained independence from [[France]] in 1960 - took its name from the former Kingdom. The capital city is Bamako. |
| | | | |
| | ==Geography== | | ==Geography== |
| Line 157: |
Line 157: |
| | In January 1959, Soudan joined Senegal to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent within the French Community on June 20, 1960. The federation collapsed on August 20, 1960, when Senegal seceded. On September 22, Soudan proclaimed itself the Republic of Mali and withdrew from the French Community. | | In January 1959, Soudan joined Senegal to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent within the French Community on June 20, 1960. The federation collapsed on August 20, 1960, when Senegal seceded. On September 22, Soudan proclaimed itself the Republic of Mali and withdrew from the French Community. |
| | | | |
| − | President [[Modibo Keita]]—whose party Union Soudanaise du Rassemblement Democratique Africain (US/RDA) had dominated preindependence politics—moved quickly to declare a single-party state and to pursue a socialist policy based on extensive nationalization. A continuously deteriorating economy led to a decision to rejoin the Franc Zone in 1967 and modify some of the economic excesses. | + | President [[Modibo Keita]]—whose party Union Soudanaise du Rassemblement Democratique Africain (US/RDA) had dominated pre-independence politics—moved quickly to declare a single-party state and to pursue a socialist policy based on extensive nationalization. A continuously deteriorating economy led to a decision to rejoin the Franc Zone in 1967 and modify some of the economic excesses. |
| | | | |
| | On November 19, 1968, a group of young officers staged a bloodless coup and set up a 14-member Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN), with Lt. Moussa Traore as President. The military leaders attempted to pursue economic reforms but for several years faced debilitating internal political struggles and the disastrous Sahelian drought. | | On November 19, 1968, a group of young officers staged a bloodless coup and set up a 14-member Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN), with Lt. Moussa Traore as President. The military leaders attempted to pursue economic reforms but for several years faced debilitating internal political struggles and the disastrous Sahelian drought. |