11-2 - ISLAM SPREADS

Main Issues

How did Muslims conquer many lands? What divisions (movements) emerged within Islam? Why did the empire of the caliphs decline?

The Age of Conquests

When Muhammad died, many Arab tribal leaders withdrew. First caliph Abu Bakr - reunited the Arabs.

Victory to Victory

Under the first four caliphs (Islamic leaders) the Arabs conquered great chunks of land. 718 Arabs failed to take Constantinople. 732 - Arabs pushed into Europe and were turned back at the Battle of Tours, France.

Reasons for Success

Byzantine and Persian empires were falling apart. Arabs were seen as liberators. Arab camel and horse cavalry were very mobile. The unity of Islam as a common faith pushed many armies to conquer. (most important reason)

Treatment of Conquered People

The spreading of the Islamic empire covered several different faiths under their rule. Muslim leaders imposed a special tax on nonMuslims. Many nomadic people of North Africa and Central Asia chose Islam immediately. People converted to Islam because it emphasized the equality of all believers.

Movements Within Islam

Two groups emerged after Muhammad's death. Sunni and Shiite

Differences
Sunni ??

Shiites ??

Sunni and Shiite States

Sufi

A third tradition emerged with the Sufis. Muslim mystics who sought communion with God through meditation, fasting, and other rituals. Helped spread Islam through their missionary work (similar to monks and nuns)

The Arab Empire

After the death of Ali, the Umayyad family set up a dynasty that ruled the Islamic world until 750.

Umayyads 661-750

Despite military success, Umayyads were overthrown. Why? Adapting desert life to ruling large cities and huge territories. The Umayyads had to rely on local officials to govern.

Unrest came into the Umayyad dynasty because:

Muslims criticized the court at Damascus for abandoning the simple way of life of early caliphs. Shiites hated the Umayyads because they defeated Ali and killed his son.

Abbassids 750-1258

Discontented Muslims found a leader in Abu alAbbas. They captured Damascus in 750, invited members of the defeated Umayyad family to a banquet and killed them.

Ended Arab dominance, helped make Islam truly universal religion

City of Peace

The Abbassids moved their capital to Baghdad in present day Iraq. Baghdad would exceed many regional areas. Gardens, domes, and minarets. Minarets are the slender towers of mosques from where officials call the faithful to prayer.

Minarets

Harun al-Rashid

786-809 - the caliph Harun al-Rashid ruled a large empire. Was seen as a model ruler through Europe and the Muslim world. Stories and legends recalled Haruns fabulous wealth and support of the arts.

Decline of the Caliphate

Around 850, Abbassid control over the Arab empire fragmented. Spain and Egypt ruled separate Muslim states. Civil wars erupted and Shiite rulers took parts of the empire.

Seljuks

In the 900s the Seljuk Turks migrated into the Middle East from Central Asia. 1055 a Seljuk sultan, or authority, controlled Baghdad (but left the Abbassid caliph as a figurehead leader).

The Crusades

In 1099, after a long and bloody siege, Christian crusaders captured Jerusalem. For 200 years the city passed back and forth between Muslims and Christians.

The Mongols

1216 Genghiz Khan led Mongols out of Central Asia across Persia and Mesopotamia. 1258 Hulagu burned and looted Baghdad, killed last Abbassid caliph Mongols adopt Islam

Late 1300s Timur the Lame took control of the Middle East, conquered Muslims and nonMuslims.

Genghiz Khan Empire

Tamerlane Empire