The African Middle Ages, 1400-1800The African Middle Ages covers the period of African history from 1400 to 1800. During this period Africa was influenced by external forces as the Islamic states of the north extended their sway and as maritime trade with Europe and Asia increased. The notorious slave trade created the black population of North and South America, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean islands. The authors, however, emphasize the extent to which Africans dealt with