Which of the following was a continuity in the development of african states in the period circa 1200–1450 ? african states such as ethiopia maintained close contacts with south and east asian states across the indian ocean but rarely had contacts with europe. a despite geographical barriers, some african states were able to maintain diplomatic and cultural contacts with the broader afro-eurasian world. b most african states rejected traditional forms of international diplomacy, such as dynastic marriages and tribute payments. c african states needed to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with europe in order to expand their empires.