Which of the following best describes social characteristics associated with the Songhai?(1 point) Responses control of the salt and gold trade and a reliance on natural resources for most of their wealth control of the salt and gold trade and a reliance on natural resources for most of their wealth women and men interacting in public places and women being encouraged to learn in libraries women and men interacting in public places and women being encouraged to learn in libraries a strong and decentralized government with important positions such as general and admiral a strong and decentralized government with important positions such as general and admiral a strong Islamic influence, a focus on learning, and Arabic as the main language

a strong Islamic influence, a focus on learning, and Arabic as the main language

The most appropriate response would be:

a strong Islamic influence, a focus on learning, and Arabic as the main language.

The best description of the social characteristics associated with the Songhai Empire is a strong Islamic influence, a focus on learning, and Arabic as the main language. To determine the correct answer, you can analyze the given options and choose the one that aligns with historical knowledge about the Songhai Empire.

Option 1: Control of the salt and gold trade and a reliance on natural resources for most of their wealth. This is not the most accurate description of the social characteristics of the Songhai Empire.

Option 2: Women and men interacting in public places and women being encouraged to learn in libraries. While there were some advancements in gender equality during the Songhai Empire, this option does not encompass the broader social characteristics associated with the empire.

Option 3: A strong and decentralized government with important positions such as general and admiral. This option focuses more on the political characteristics of the empire rather than the social characteristics.

Option 4: A strong Islamic influence, a focus on learning, and Arabic as the main language. This option accurately describes the social characteristics associated with the Songhai Empire. The Songhai Empire was heavily influenced by Islam, with its rulers adopting Islamic practices and Arabic being used as the main language for religious, administrative, and scholarly purposes. The empire also had a strong emphasis on learning, with the city of Timbuktu serving as a renowned center of Islamic scholarship.

Therefore, the correct answer is: A strong Islamic influence, a focus on learning, and Arabic as the main language.