"What if" history thread #2

[Sinnerman]

What would have happened if Mali tried to invade the Kanem empire in the early 14th century? This would have been during Mali's height, and Kanem would have been powerful as well. Let's say Mansa Musa comes back from hajj, and invades them on the pretext of trying to establish a cross continental trade network with the east, and gaining territory in the north. Would he have succeeded? How would that have changed the course of Malian history if he did?

This is Kanem on the map

Mali would have been to their west.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanem_Empire

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/01/23/938331/-Ancient-Africa-The-Kanem-Empire

looking forward to reading any responses

 

[Bawon Samedi]

IIRC the Mali Empire's military was very large and powerful. The Calvary was top notch. They also had a lot of Berber groups like the Tuaregs who were fierce warriors under their control. Not only that Mali was Africa's real superpower at the time; or one of the many superpowers on the globe at that time.

Not sure who would win, but I know Mali has a lot more resources to spend on the war, And I mean A LOT. This was the empire who freaking had 2/3 of the worlds gold!

 

[Bawon Samedi]

IF Mali does win then I think West and East Africa would be more closely binded together than before. I think Mali would know more about Ethiopia and even the Swahili coast. Since IIRC the Kanem trade routes connected those two.

 

[Sinnerman]

IIRC the Mali Empire's military was very large and powerful. The Calvary was top notch. They also had a lot of Berber groups like the Tuaregs who were fierce warriors under their control. Not only that Mali was Africa's real superpower at the time; or one of the many superpowers on the globe at that time.

Not sure who would win, but I know Mali has a lot more resources to spend on the war, And I mean A LOT. This was the empire who freaking had 2/3 of the worlds gold!

Thanks for the response man Yeah Mali had 200,000 soldiers they could put on to the field.

IF Mali does win then I think West and East Africa would be more closely binded together than before. I think Mali would know more about Ethiopia and even the Swahili coast. Since IIRC the Kanem trade routes connected those two.

Do you see a potential Zanzibarian-Timbuktu trade route happening? like a silk road type deal

 

[Poitier]

These threads are cool but I don't have the knowledge to contribute.

A connected East and West would have been a game changer. Kind of why I hope Nigeria and Ethiopia encourage more trade with each other.

 

[Bawon Samedi]

Thanks for the response man Yeah Mali had 200,000 soldiers they could put on to the field.

You welcome.

And like I said Mali was Africa's superpower at that time.

Do you see a potential Zanzibarian-Timbuktu trade route happening? like a silk road type deal

With a win by Mali and opening of new trade networks, this would be very, VERY interesting. Forget silk roads. The Mali Empire would be aware of the Indian Ocean trade, that the Swahili coast, Somalis and Ethiopians were not only apart of but dominated. If Mali had direct ties with the Swahili coast/Somalia then I would see Mali Empire becoming even more rich. Remember the trade made the Swahili coast really rich. The Swahili coast was also a great power of Africa, but more financially. The Somalis had some of the greatest navies. Hardly anyone would challenge. Many Somalis tell me Somalia back then had many colonies in the India ocean. The Swahilis/Somalis were/still are great seafaring people. If Mali established direct ties with either one of them then they would influence Mali in becoming more active in sea faring. And with Mali's resources the possibilities and ship making would be endless. Again if there is direct contact. And if the Mali Empire is ambitious in entering the Indian ocean trade; which they would be since that trade made a lot of states wealthy.

 

[Sinnerman]

These threads are cool but I don't have the knowledge to contribute.

A connected East and West would have been a game changer. Kind of why I hope Nigeria and Ethiopia encourage more trade with each other.

It's all good man, I'm completely out of my league when you and others talk that genealogy stuff, so I stay out of those

You welcome.

And like I said Mali was Africa's superpower at that time.




With a win by Mali and opening of new trade networks, this would be very, VERY interesting. Forget silk roads. The Mali Empire would be aware of the Indian Ocean trade, that the Swahili coast, Somalis and Ethiopians were not only apart of but dominated. If Mali had direct ties with the Swahili coast/Somalia then I would see Mali Empire becoming even more rich. Remember the trade made the Swahili coast really rich. The Swahili coast was also a great power of Africa, but more financially. The Somalis had some of the greatest navies. Hardly anyone would challenge. Many Somalis tell me Somalia back then had many colonies in the India ocean. The Swahilis/Somalis were/still are great seafaring people. If Mali established direct ties with either one of them then they would influence Mali in becoming more active in sea faring. And with Mali's resources the possibilities and ship making would be endless. Again if there is direct contact. And if the Mali Empire is ambitious in entering the Indian ocean trade; which they would be since that trade made a lot of states wealthy.

and when the next AbuBakr II comes along and creates consistent trade routes with the new world due to the increased seafaring technology?

Mali trading technology with China, India, Persia etc directly

this could make for a good alt novel

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