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The Islamic Empires. SS.A.2.4.6; SS.B.2.4.3; SS.A.1.4.3. Muhammad’s Death. M. never named successor, no son Follower’s choose M’s father-in-law Abu Bakr as caliph Under Abu Bakr, Islam expands through jihad , “struggle in the way of God” The Quran permits fair, defensive warfare.
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The Islamic Empires SS.A.2.4.6; SS.B.2.4.3; SS.A.1.4.3
Muhammad’s Death • M. never named successor, no son • Follower’s choose M’s father-in-law Abu Bakr as caliph • Under Abu Bakr, Islam expands through jihad, “struggle in the way of God” • The Quran permits fair, defensive warfare
Growing Power: • 636: Caliphate stuns the Byzantine army by defeating them at Yarmuk • 640: Arabs take control of Byzantine province of Syria • 642: Egypt & N. Africa added to Arab Empire • 650: Arabs conquer Persian Empire • Medina serves as capital of Arab Empire
Early Arab Governance • After Abu Bakr’s death, there is little agreement as to who should rule; next 3 caliphs assassinated • In conquered areas, many local leaders allowed to stay in power • Locals not forced to convert to Islam, religious tolerance common
The Umayyad Dynasty • 661: General Mu’awiyah, governor of Syria, becomes caliph • Made caliphate hereditary, establishing the Umayyad Dynasty • Moves capital of Arab Empire from Medina to Damascus, Syria
Umayyad Conquest • Early 700s: Arabs conquer/convert the Berbers of North Africa • 710: Arab & Berber forces cross the Straits of Gibraltar conquer Spain, Cordoba made state capital • 732: Battle of Tours stops Muslim expansion into Europe • 717: Byzantine Navy defeats Arab fleet, tensions along boarder
Umayyad Problems • Non-Arab Muslims do not like the way Umayyad government treats Arabs better than others • Hussein, son of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet leads a revolt • Umayyad forces crush Hussein’s small army--those who disagree with Umayyads consider only Ali’s family as true leaders of Islam
The Two Islams: • Disagreement about caliphate leads to a split in the faith: • Shiite Muslims accept only the descendants of Ali as true leaders of Islam • Sunni Muslims were those who accepted Umayyad rule • Today, most of the world’s Muslims are Sunni, where the majority of people in Iran and Iraq consider themselves Shiite
The Abbasid Dynasty • Umayyad corruption brings about unrest, revolt • 750: Abu al-Abbas, a descendant of Muhammad’s uncle, gains power • Establishes Abbasid Dynasty which lasts to 1258
Abbasid Rule • New capital built on Tigris River--called Baghdad, strategic place • River traffic to Persian Gulf • Eastern placement of capital lends Persian influence • Warriors no longer heroes, replaced by merchants, judges & gov officials • Non-Arabs able to hold gov & military office • Inter-marriage common • Translating Greek writings encouraged • Caliphate became more regal, viziers help in administration of empire
Abbasid Troubles • Abbasid family fight one another • Lack of Arab influence in government gives rise to powerful minorities of Persians and Turks • Minorities begin to break away: • 750: Umayyad caliphate est in Spain • 973: Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt
Fatimids & Seljuk Turks • From Cairo, Fatimids grow rich and powerful from Nile R. and Red Sea • Create powerful army made up of non-Arabs, mostly Seljuk Turks • Seljuk Turks: nomads from central Asia, Muslims, prospered as soldiers under Abbasids • 1000: Seljuk Turks conquer Iran, Armenia and eastern Abbasid land • 1055: Turkish sultan takes Baghdad
Turkish Power • Abbasid caliph retains religious power, political power now sultan’s • 1071: Byzantine Empire challenges Turkish expansion into Anatolia, Turks win battle of Manzikert • Turks take control of entire Anatolian Peninsula, Byzantines look to the West for help
The Crusades • Byzantine emperor Alexius I asked Catholic Europe for help • Because of mutual distrust and fear between Christian Europe and the Islamic world, many European kings agree to send soldiers in what became known as Crusades • 1096-1150: Crusaders take lands around Christian holy sites, and establish Christian states
Rise of Saladin • New Muslim leader takes control of Egypt, appoints himself sultan, ends Fatimid Dynasty • Takes control of Syria, takes the offensive against Christians • 1187: Takes control of Jerusalem away from Christians • Does not massacre population, allows Christian religious services to continue • Crusades accomplish nothing but mistrust between faiths
Attack of the Mongols • Mongols: nomads from the Gobi Desert, conquered through brutal warfare meant to creat terror so great people wouldn’t fight back • Under Genghis Khan, Mongol armies conquer China, central Asia • 1258: Mongols capture Baghdad, ending Abbasid caliphate, burned the city • Cairo becomes new center for Islamic culture