I think it all depends on what school you go to
Answer: They led to larger urban cores that used professional armies to increase their territory and enslave people.
Explanation:
Trade generally brings about wealth and this was the case for West African societies as a result of interactions with the Muslim traders who crossed the Sahara to trade with them.
As a result of the gains from trade, wealthy urban cores and cities were formed such as Timbuktu, Gao and Agadez
. The wealth the rulers of these cities acquired enabled them to use professional armies to conquer more territory.
Indeed one of the richest men in history, Mansa Musa ruled over an empire that became so rich due to trade in his territory.
Answer: The hypothesis would become a theory.
