What are the major beliefs of Islam? What were the political, economic, and social effects of the spread of Islamic culture?

THE ISLAMIC WORLD

THE BIG QUESTIONS: What are the major

beliefs of Islam? What were the political,

economic, and social effects of the spread of Islamic culture?

INTRODUCTION:In the 5th century, warfare between the Byzantine and Persian Empires interrupted trade routes from East Asia.Trade from India and China shifted to sea routes connecting India with Arabia and the Red Sea.Cities and towns grew up near wells along the caravan routes that carried goods across the Arabian peninsulaMecca was one of the most important of these cities.

ANCIENT TRADE ROUTES

ISLAM: Founded in the 7th century (A.D. 600s) By Mohammed

Born in 570 A.D.A merchant and shepherd in MeccaHad a vision in which he was told to convert

Arab tribes to believe in a single God, Allah (same God worshipped by Jews and Christians)

Islam is the Arabic word for “submission”

Within 100 years, it grew to control an area larger than the Roman Empire

ACTIVITY: Complete your religions chart by adding Islam

Major beliefs – one God, the Five Pillars (confession of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage)

Holy book – Quran (Koran) Holy places – Mecca, Jerusalem, and

their place of worship the mosque

SPREAD OF ISLAM Islam united the various Arab tribes

with a common language (Arabic) and religion

Arabs set out on a “holy war” or Jihad against non-believers. (about the same time the Byzantines and Persians were weakened from centuries of fighting each other)

Created an empire from the Indus valley into North Africa and Eastern Europe and Spain

THE SPLIT IN ISLAM (THE CALIPHATES) Caliph – “successor to Mohammed” After Mohammed died, new caliphs were

chosen by a group of Muslim leaders Division arose over who caliphs should be

Sunnis – followed the elected caliph Shiites – decided only descendants of

Mohammed could be caliph The first true caliphate, The Umayyads,

moved the capital to Damascus (Syria) The Abbasids took over the caliphate in

750 A.D., moved the capital to Baghdad (Iraq), and focused on trade instead of war.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CALIPHATES Caliphs converted or enslaved people

worshipping many gods Jews and Christians were treated with

respect Non-Arabs had fewer rights at first, but

eventually all Muslims were equal Jews and Christians had too pay a

special tax and could not hold most offices

ACTIVITY: On the map provided, draw the

boundaries for the spread of Islam (632-750) as found on page 197 in your text book.

Create a key showing the Islamic territory in 632, and expansions (632-661, 661-750) and the Byzantine Empire in 750

GOLDEN AGE OF MUSLIM CULTURE

A period of great advances in culture and technology

Absorbed the cultural achievements of the Greeks, Romans, Persians, Jews, and Byzantines

Controlled vast trading areas and served as a crossroads for trade (China and India <-> Eastern Mediterranean and Africa)

Arabic (the language of the Quran) became the language of literature, philosophy, and art

MOSQUE

Caligraphy

AstrolabeCarpets

CHANGES IN THE 11TH CENTURY

The Seljuk Turks (conquerors from Central Asia) captured Baghdad and created a new Islamic empire.They converted to IslamKept Baghdad as the capital

By the 12th century, Muslims became engaged in a war with Christians for control of the Holy Land – The CrusadesChristians took Jerusalem in 1099Saladin recaptured Jerusalem (he remains a hero

in the Islamic world today)

ISLAMIC INFLUENCE INPOST-CLASSICAL ASIA…THE GUNPOWDER EMPIRES

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Captured Constantinople in 1453 A “Gunpowder Empire” located between

Europe and Asia Interacted with both Eastern and

Western cultures Reached its height under the reign of

Suleiman the MagnificentConquered Egypt and N. Africa and parts of

Eastern EuropeControlled much of the trade in the

Mediterranean Sea Ottomans were defeated in 1571 by

Spaniards and Venetians

MORE ABOUT THE OTTOMANS…

Government:Ruled by the Sultan (all-powerful ruler) and

his lavish courtCapital was Istanbul (Constantinople)Well-organized and efficient governmentAssisted by a special army, The Janissaries

(soldiers recruited and trained at childhood) Culture

Sunni branch of IslamRecognized diversityJews and Christians represented by own

leaders and represented by their own laws and collected their own taxes

LEFT SIDE

WHY DO YOU THINK SULEYMAN DESERVED THE TITLE “THE MAGNIFICENT”? GIVE THREE SPECIFIC REASONS WHY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SULEYMAN’S GREATEST WEAKNESS WAS?

THE SAFAVID EMPIRE Created their empire in Persia (1500’s) Shi’ite Muslims and opposed the Ottomans Maintained a separate identity from Turkish

and Arab neighbors (continues today) Government

Ruler was known as ShahMaintained control with strong standing

armies Culture

Known for its beautiful palace courtsDecorated with fabulous carpets and

paintings in miniature

MUSLIM INVASIONS IN INDIA

Turkish Muslims invaded the northern plains of India in the 11th and 12th centuries (killing large numbers of Hindus)

Created independent kingdoms in northern India called SultanatesMost important was the Sultanate of Delhi

(1200) Ruled much of Northern and Central India for

320 years Did not adopt Indian ways Women wore veils and remained secluded

(even though Hindu women did not)Delhi destroyed by the Mongol ruler Tamerlane

in the 14th century. Sultanate never fully recovered.

THE MUGHAL EMPIRE (1526-1837) Babur (descendant of Tamerlane and

Ghengis Khan) defeated the last sultan of Delhi to found the Mughal dynasty

Had close ties to the Safavids Used guns to control their populations

and fight their enemies

AKBAR THE GREAT Most famous Mughal ruler (Babur’s

grandson)Conquered Muslim and Hindu states

uniting all Northern India under his rulePromoted religious toleranceEnded special Hindu taxes and used Hindu

officials in governmentDivided empire into 12 provincesLocal government was run by well-trained

officials (enforced laws, collected taxes)Encouraged learning, painting, music, and

literature

SHAH JAHAN Akbar’s grandson Re-imposed taxes on Hindus and destroyed

Hindu temples Many converted to Islam (some to avoid

taxes, others from lower castes, to escape the caste system)

Even more artistic and cultural achievementsBuilt palaces, fortresses, and mosques

Most famous was Taj Mahal (tomb for his wife)

Combined Persian, Indian, and Islamic styles

THE TAJ MAHAL

TIMELINE ACTIVITY – THE GUNPOWDER EMPIRES

SIKHISM (ADD TO RELIGIONS CHART) New religion in Northern India

Founder – interactions between Muslims and Hindus

Major beliefs Reincarnation One God God can be known through meditation (a form of

deep contemplation) Equality in the eyes of God

Scriptures teach moderation (eat little, sleep little, talk little, consume little)

No caste systemSikh men do not cut their hair (often wear

turbans)Holy places – Temples and shrines (Golden

Temple)