3 Kingdoms- European, Byzantine and Islamic

What happens to Europe after the fall of Rome? Cities are unsafe. Trade is disrupted. Government is decentralized. Loss of learning. Institutions, individuals, and ideas vie for power.

What is feudalism? A system of political, economic, and social mutual obligations.

Charlemagne Rules 768-814 Creates “Kingdom of Europe” Brings together Christianity, Roman and German cultures Promotes classical education and higher learning

Charlemagne crowned Emperor by the Pope in 800 AD Signifies creation of a “Holy Roman Empire”.

1066 – Norman Conquests Invaders from France led by William defeat English- create a new cultural identity which will become modern Britain

Magna Carta- 1215 English nobles force King John to grant them certain rights- beginning of modern Parliamentary government

Byzantine Empire Formed when Roman Empire was divided into Western and Eastern halves in 330 AD

Ruled by an Emperor with absolute power, similar to early Roman Empire but also as a Christian state

1054- East/West Schism- splits Christianity into Orthodox East and Catholic West

Constantinople became an important crossroads of East/West trade.

Founding of Islam In the 600s CE a man named Muhammad started preaching after a series of vision about a new monotheistic religion in the city of Mecca. This was a threat to local leaders because Mecca was a pilgrimage site for polytheists who would visit the city to worship idols in the Kaaba. Muhammad was cast out of Mecca and his followers went with him to Medina. After gathering up enough political power, Muhammad returned to Mecca and cast the idols out of the Kaaba and ruled the city based on the teachings of Islam. After Muhammad’s death, his followers continued to rule and expand the religion as well as the political empire.

Islam Today, there are more than 1 billion Muslims in the world - the 2nd largest world religion. Muslims believe: There is only 1 god, Allah. Jesus, Moses, and Abraham are all prophets of God but the final prophet is Muhammad. The teachings of the Quran (Koran). Worship in a mosque. 5 Pillars: Faith Prayer Alms Fasting Pilgrimage

Politics: Muhammad - Umayyad

Politics: Routes of Conflict

Politics: The Expansion of Islam in Perspective

Economics: Trade Routes

Culture: Peoples in the Islamic Empire

Religious, cultural, and political centers of the Islamic World