Download Age of Islamic Conquests - Mrs. Greenberg

Age of Islamic Conquests
Creation of An Arab Empire
• After the death of
Muhammad, unity was
difficult to maintain.
• The friend and father-inlaw of Muhammad, Abu
Bakr, was chosen to be the
first Caliph, or successor
to Muhammad.
• Abu Bakr helped to unify the Muslim world
and expanded in Arabia and beyond.
• Under the idea of jihad, or “struggle in the
way of God” the early Muslims expanded their
territory. The believed that defensive warfare
was permitted by the Quran.
Arab Rule
• The Arabs were now united and expanded their
territory instead of fighting each other.
• They defeated the Byzantine army in 636 taking the
province of Syria. By 642 they took Egypt and by 650
they controlled the Persian Empire
After Abu Bakr died there was conflict over who
would be the next Caliph.
The next two Caliphs were both assassinated.
After that Muhammad’s son-in-law
Ali was appointed Caliph, but five
years later he too was assassinated.
The Umayyad Dynasty
• At the beginning of the eighth century
Islam had expanded across northern
Africa and had converted the Berbers
(a pastoral people along the
Mediterranean coast).
• By 710 combined Berber and Arab
forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar
into Spain and had taken most of the
country by 725. In 732, however, the
Muslim advance into Europe was
halted at the Battle of Tours just
outside of Paris
Complete “Battle of Tours Play”
• Assign roles
• Read play from desks
Discussion
• How would life be different if the Muslims had
won the Battle of Tours???
• By 750 the Muslim advance came to an end.
The southern and eastern Mediterranean and
parts of the old Roman Empire were now
Muslim territory.
• The Umayyad Dynasty was centered in
Damascus, in modern-day Syria and was
wealthy. This was also a very diverse empire as
many different peoples had been conquered in
new territory.
• The diversity helped lead to a split within the
Islamic faith
A Split in Islam
• Many non-Arab Muslims
resent the favoritism which
the Umayyad Empire
showed toward Arabs.
• The large empire was
difficult to rule efficiently
and there were financial
problems as well.
The Revolt of Hussein
• The grandson of Muhammad,
Hussein, led a revolt against the
Umayyad Empire in 680.
• His solders defected and he was
killed by an overwhelming
Umayyad force.
• This struggle led to a split within
the faith of Islam between Sunni
and Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims.
Sunni vs. Shi’a (Shiite)
• Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad
Dynasty. They believe the Caliph does not
need to be a direct descendant of
Muhammad.
• Shi’a Muslims supported Hussein and believe
that the Caliph should be a direct descendant
of Muhammad through his son-in-law Ali and
his grandson.
Umayyad
Architecture
• the rock is the spot[from which
Muhammad ascended to heaven
accompanied by the angel Gabriel.
Further, Muhammad was taken here by
Gabriel to pray with Abraham, Moses,
and Jesus. After Muhammad’s's return,
he called all who would believe him to
join with him and be Muslim
• For Jews and Christians-site of
Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac
The Crusades
• The Byzantine Emperor Alexius I sent a letter
to the Pope (Urban II) asking for help against
the Turks.
• This led to a series of wars in 1096 known as
The Crusades.
• At first the Crusaders were successful and
took the city of Jerusalem.
• In 1187 the Muslim leader Saladin retook
the city, leaving the Christians with only a
small collection of land holdings in the
Middle East.
• The Crusades had a lasting impact-breeding
centuries of mistrust between the Muslim
world and the Christian World.