Say if we butterfly the Songhai jihads, and Islam spreads less south of the Sahel what are the effects on the region and the greater world?
Assuming this area remains the main source of slaves for the European empires, would the lack of Islam and limited knowledge of Arabic reduce unity among Sudani peoples in the new world? With 1 in 2 slaves in the English and Spanish practicing Muslims on arrival OTL it was virtually impossible for colonial authorities to stamp out 'undesirable' religious characteristics and at least one study has suggested they even spread, as a method of resistance to foreign rule, with the consequences we all know. Would slave populations be converted to Christianity in this timeline and would the populace be less rebellious?
Assuming this area remains the main source of slaves for the European empires, would the lack of Islam and limited knowledge of Arabic reduce unity among Sudani peoples in the new world? With 1 in 2 slaves in the English and Spanish practicing Muslims on arrival OTL it was virtually impossible for colonial authorities to stamp out 'undesirable' religious characteristics and at least one study has suggested they even spread, as a method of resistance to foreign rule, with the consequences we all know. Would slave populations be converted to Christianity in this timeline and would the populace be less rebellious?