What increased in Africa as a result of the rise of the slave trade?

The increase in warfare in Africa as a direct result of the rise of the slave trade is significant. The demand for enslaved individuals led to heightened competition among various African kingdoms and tribes. Groups sought to capture individuals from rival groups to sell them into slavery, which in turn resulted in conflicts and violence. The dynamics of power shifted as some kingdoms became prosperous by participating in the slave trade, while others faced devastation as they lost members of their communities. This cycle of conflict often undermined social cohesion and led to increased militarization as groups sought to protect or expand their interests in the face of this growing trade.

In contrast, trade networks may have expanded as a consequence of the slave trade but did not increase solely due to it. Education levels likely did not rise as a result of the slave trade; instead, many societies experienced disruption, which could negatively impact education. Population growth was also affected, but not necessarily increased, as the loss of large numbers of people to slavery had the opposite effect in many regions. Therefore, the specific rise in warfare stands out as a direct and immediate consequence of the slave trade's expansion in Africa.