How did the African kingdoms of Songhai, Benin, and Kongo all gain power?
1) by controlling trade
2) by ruling democratically
3) by mining gold
4) by selling slaves

Question

How did the African kingdoms of Songhai, Benin, and Kongo all gain power?
	1)	by controlling trade
	2)	by ruling democratically
	3)	by mining gold
	4)	by selling slaves

anonymous · Answer

They controlled the gold and salt trade which was highly profitable. Also, most were city ststes or regional kingdoms and weren't democracies. And while slavery wad profitable it by no means allowed them to rise to power as often it was a drain on the labor force and fostered internal African rivalry.

anonymous · Answer

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