Download Study Guide #28 The Expansion of Islam

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Global Studies 1R
Study Guide #28 The Expansion of Islam
The Caliphate. Muhammad died in 632, setting off a crisis in the
Islamic world. No one knew who would take Muhammad‟s place as
leader. In addition, some of the desert tribes began to abandon Islam.
The search for a new leader caused conflicts, but eventually a group
chose Abu Bakr, Muhammad‟s old friend.
Abu Bakr was not a prophet, like Muhammad. He and all those
who came after him were known as caliphs, or “successors.” After Abu
Bakr became caliph, he used force to bring the desert tribes back into
the Muslim fold.
Islamic Expansion. Abu Bakr died shortly after being chosen caliph.
He picked „Umar, another old friend of Muhammad, to lead the Islamic
world. „Umar oversaw a great expansion of Islam. Other regional
empires, such as the Byzantine and the Persian, were declining,
creating room for Muslim influence. „Umar also instituted a new policy
to build his armies. When people enlisted, they received a share of
their community‟s wealth. Over the course of ten years, the Muslims
built a huge empire.
Divisions Within Islam. In 644 „Umar was murdered, and a group
chose „Uthman as the new caliph. „Uthman was a member of the
Umayyad clan, which had bitterly opposed Muhammad. His election as
caliph greatly increased the tension among the Muslim leadership.
After a group of rebels killed „Uthman in 656, „Ali became caliph.
The Umayyads promptly challenged his rule. Mu‟awiya, „Uthman‟s
cousin, claimed the position of caliph for himself. „Ali and Mu‟awiya
fought until an assassin killed „Ali. Then Mu‟awiya and the Umayyad
dynasty took control of the Muslim Empire.
Most Muslims accepted Mu‟awiya‟s rule, even if they were
reluctant to do so. These Muslims were called Sunnis. Some Muslims,
however, said that only „Ali‟s descendants should rule. These Muslims
were called Shi’ah. The Shi‟ah Muslims looked to the imam, or „Ali‟s
descendants, to interpret the Qur‟an.
The Umayyad Dynasty. The Umayyads moved the capital of the
Muslim Empire to Damascus to be closer to the Arab tribes who
supported them. The Umayyads also began an ambitious policy of
expansion. They eventually reached France but withdrew to Spain.
Over time, the Umayyad dynasty declined. The Umayyads made
non-Arab converts serve as clients to Arab tribes. This second-class
status caused resentment, and after a revolt the Abbasid dynasty came
to power in 750.
The Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasids moved their capital to Baghdad,
where they adopted many Persian cultural elements. Eventually, the
“Arab” style of Islam declined and the religion became more universal.
The Abbasid dynasty gradually fell due to internal conflict and civil war.
Answer the questions below in your own words and in complete sentence. Highlight
your evidence. Also read pages 250-255 in your textbook
1. What problems did Muhammad‟s death cause, and how were they
solved?
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2. Why were the Muslims able to expand and create an empire?
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3. How long did „Uthman remain as caliph?
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4. Why did the split in Islam come about?
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5. What caused the decline of the Umayyad dynasty?
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6. How did Islam become a “universal” religion?
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