Final answer:
The expansion of empires, such as the Mali Empire, facilitated the growth of trade networks like the Trans-Saharan trade route by providing security, infrastructure, and fostering shared cultural and religious practices, notably the spread of Islam, that enabled trust and cooperation among diverse trading entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expansion of empires significantly influenced trade and communication, especially with the Trans-Saharan trade route. Rather than leading to a decline in trade, the growth of empires such as the Mali Empire acted as a catalyst for trade networks, facilitating economic and cultural exchanges across regions. These empires established political stability and provided infrastructure that connected various regions, leading to more efficient and expanded trade routes. The sharing of religious and cultural practices, particularly the spread of Islam, further united traders under a common set of beliefs that built an environment of trust, vital for long-distance trade.
Shared language, laws, and economic interests brought on by these empires also played a crucial role in trading. The Arabic language became a lingua franca for commerce, and the adoption of Islamic laws made trade more secure through contract law based on Islamic principles. This supported a network of trade that stretched from West Africa across the Sahara to North Africa and beyond, contributing significantly to the economic prosperity of the region.