Why was there continuous political instability in west africa between 1500 and 1700?
a: traders provided a regular supply of guns to tribal leaders.
b: there was a loss of able-bodied men to the slave trade.
c: the income of the common african was limited.
d: traders introduced manufactured goods from europe.
e: there was a lack of economic development.

The correct answer is A)  traders provided a regular supply of guns to tribal leaders.

There was continuous political instability in West Africa between 1500 and 1700 because traders provided a regular supply of guns to tribal leaders.

When the European colonies started to arrive in the western territories of Africa, there already were divisions and conflicts due to ethnicities and territorial conflicts. From 1550 to 1700, European traders brought many weapons that were sold in the region. For instance, the leaders of Songhai, Mali, or Ghana bough that weaponry from traders to strengthen their power and control over their rival tribes.