Final answer:
The political structures in West Africa were notably different from East Africa between 1200-1450, primarily in terms of centralization. West Africa had decentralized societies with power held by local associations, in contrast to some East African states which were more centralized.
Step-by-step explanation:
One notable way in which the political structures in West Africa differed from those in East Africa between 1200-1450 was the nature of political centralization and decentralization. In West Africa, particularly within the forest regions along the coast, there was a tendency towards decentralized societies.
The political power in these regions resided in associations of men and women rather than in a centralized government. This contrasted with some East African states, such as the Swahili city-states, which were more centralized and often governed by a king or sultan.
Moreover, after the fall of the Songhai Empire, West African political entities saw chiefs and small states engaging directly with Europeans, forgoing the established caravan trade network. This shift in trade dynamics and political interaction altered the scale of the slave trade and decentralized political structures, as individual chiefs saw the benefits of dealing with Europeans independently.
In contrast, East African trade was more influenced by established networks like the Indian Ocean trade, which had long-lasting effects on its political structures, often maintaining more centralized forms of government.