What if Malians Discovered on Arab Ships and Conquered the Americas?
Historical trends and technological advancements can often lead to drastically different outcomes. In this hypothetical scenario, we explore how the discovery of the Americas might have played out if Malians discovered the Americas through Arab ships and decided to conquer them. This alternative history involves complex political, economic, and social dynamics.
Technological and Economic Standstills
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked a significant shift in the Islamic world, causing a profound economic downturn in Europe. The once-thriving Silk Road trade routes, which relied on Constantinople as a key point, were disrupted due to the Ottoman conquest, leading to significant economic shifts in Europe.
Technologically, the Islamic world had the knowledge and resources to engage in extensive oceanic trading. However, after the fall of Constantinople, they focused inwardly on addressing various internal challenges, particularly a lack of horses for cavalry in regions south of the Sahel. This led to a decline in cross-oceanic expansion, which contributed to the cessation of significant exploration and trade.
Trade and Conquest
The need for horses in the Islamic world south of the Sahel was dire, as many viruses made it impossible for horses to survive. The solution involved trading for horses from northern regions, often involving slaves captured in battle. This slave trade, combined with the need for horses, influenced significant trade networks across the Sahara and along coastal regions.
Records from Mali, a former West African empire, paint a picture of a strong trans-Saharan trade network. Mali's trade with the north involved goods such as gold, salt, and slaves. Mansa Musa, a famous ruler from c. 1312 to c. 1337, laid the groundwork for such extensive trade. However, the eventual fall of the Ghana Empire to the Almoravids in 1078 marked a decline in these centralized trade networks.
Navigational Breakthroughs and European Exploration
A gripping moment in history was Vasco da Gama's voyage in 1497. Despite encountering fortified cities governed by Muslim potentates, he managed to prove the feasibility of sea trade. Initially, this discovery rejuvenated European economies and launched the Age of Exploration in earnest.
Although the Islamic world had the capability to engage in long-range Atlantic exploration, their focus on internal issues, like the need for horses, diverted their attention. The Portuguese, under Prince Henry the Navigator, laid the groundwork for long-range exploration, with Vasco da Gama making the first major attempt to establish intercontinental trade networks. Shortly after, Christopher Columbus made his famous voyage in 1492, spurring competition and innovation among European powers.
The Technological and Cultural Shift
By the time the Islamic world regained interest in long-range exploration, European powers had already achieved a significant technological and cultural advantage. Only in recent times are major Islamic entities globally investing in indigenous industries like tanks, cars, and warships. This late entry into these industries highlights the prolonged focus on internal issues and a slower pace of global engagement.
The Impact of Global Trade and Military Alliances
The world today is united by a global trade infrastructure largely established by the logistical efforts of the Allies during World War II. This global economy is uniting humanity across cultural lines, potentially leading to a global human government in the future. America, in particular, has dedicated its foreign policy to ensuring global trade access, famously stated in the book series 'Fortune Passes Everywhere,' where unfettered trade is seen as crucial for prosperity.
Ancient leaders like Isoroku Yamamoto foresaw the global economic landscape, but it wasn't until the events of 1941 that America officially entered the war and demonstrated its economic and military power. Today, the Islamic world is in a strategic position to significantly reduce poverty through global trade without the need for extensive exploration and colonization.