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8. Were there any negative repercussions to Mansa Musa's display of wealth and generosity to the people of Cairo?

Nicole Simpole

Hey there!

To answer your question, yes, there were some negative repercussions to Mansa Musa's display of wealth and generosity to the people of Cairo.

Firstly, his extravagant spending and gift-giving caused inflation in the local markets, as the sudden increase in spending power led to an increase in the prices of goods and services. This meant that the common people, who were already struggling economically, were hit even harder as the cost of living rose.

Secondly, the influx of gold into Cairo led to a devaluation of the precious metal in the international market. Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca was so extravagant that he gave away so much gold that he caused the price of gold to drop by almost 25% in the Mediterranean world as a result. This hurt his own economy and caused a ripple effect that impacted other countries as well.

Furthermore, Mansa Musa's display of wealth also attracted the attention of opportunistic merchants and raiders, who saw an opportunity to exploit and plunder the rich kingdom of Mali. The influx of people to the region put a strain on the local resources, and the kingdom was soon faced with attacks by neighboring kingdoms seeking to take advantage of their weakened state.

Finally, his display of wealth and generosity also drew criticism from some quarters, with some questioning whether his actions were really motivated by charity or if it was just a ploy to gain favor and prestige among the people. Some even accused him of arrogance and extravagance, and his actions were seen as a symbol of the vast disparity between the wealthy and the poor.

In conclusion, while Mansa Musa's display of wealth and generosity had some positive effects, such as raising the profile of Mali and its ruler in the international community, it also had negative consequences that impacted both his own kingdom and the region as a whole.