Download Umayyad - Abbasid

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Umayyad & Abbasid Dynasties
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Problem: Muhammad’s death and he never named a successor (he had several daughters, but no son).
This cultural was a male-dominated society.
Shortly after Muhammad’s death:
Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-law) chosen to be leader – A.D. 632 he is named caliph
Islam starts its expansion under his rule – united the Muslim faithful’s – expanding in the Arabian Peninsula
Muhammad used jihad against early Makkans who tried
to stop his movement
Because of Jihad – the Muslims were able to use force
to expand their territory
Successors will do the same against neighbors
(Byzantine Empire Conquered – A.D. 636: Yarmuk –
Syria – took 4 years)
(A.D. 642: Egypt & Northern Africa added to the Muslim
Empire)
Incentive to fight: soldiers had the belief that Muslim warriors were assured a place in paradise if they died in
battle
Abu Bakr passes away – no clear successor
Ali
(Muhammad’s son-in-law)
-
= Assassinated
Mu’awiyah is a rival of Ali
Conquer Territories Policies
May allow local officials to continue to govern
Tolerant of other religions
Christian and Jews referred to as “People of the Book” meaning who had written scriptures reveled to
them by God before Muhammad
Big rule: those not converted to Muslim must obey Muslim rule and pay taxes
Main Concept
ISLAM DID GROW UNDER THE RULE OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS SUCCESSORS, BE THERE WAS CONSTANT TENSION
OVER CHOOSING WHO SHOULD RULE THE EMPIRE
Umayyad Dynasty
Abbasid Dynasty
Leader(s):
Leader(s):
-
-
Mu’awiyah
 Governor of Syria/General
 Only used forced when absolutely
necessary
 Created the Caliphate and connect it to his
family = made the Umayyad Dynasty
Major Event(s): Conquests
-
Major Event(s): Conquests
Expansion (North Africa – Mediterranean –
Europe - Persia) Cordoba, Spain
Try to solve the problem of succession (creates
the caliphate)
Expansion + More Wealth = Stronger Islamic
Culture
Split in Islam: Hussein - Son of Ali (Sunni and
Shia)
Battle of Tours – Stop spread of Islam in
Europe
Moved capital to Damascus, Syria
Fall of Dynasty:
-
Harun al-Rashid – Mother kills his brother
Al-Ma’mun (son of Harun)
-
Contributed to arts and sciences (Golden Age)
Prosperity increased: Baghdad heart of trading
routes due to take over of Roman provinces
No Discrimination
New capital: Baghdad, Iraq
Mongol Invasion destroys capital city
Fall of Dynasty:
Money problems
Corruption
Dynasties becoming too big to govern
Discrimination towards Non-Arabs
-
Succession of caliph (fight between 2 sons of
Harun al-Rashid)
Financial troubles
Lack of qualified Arab positions
Did the empire flourish?
Did the empire flourish?
Yes found wealth and growth, but destroyed by
corruption and discrimination.
Yes it found wealth and growth, but family succession,
and corruption forced Muslims to separate and form
own dynasties
Group that brought the Muslim Empire back to relevance
(Fatimid Dynasty) Turks
Would eventually take Constantinople, Turkey