Major Islamic Empires World History

Where was each picture taken? All three were taken in Baghdad, Iraq- the former capital of the Abbasid Empire

Objective Understand the rise and the fall of the Umayyad and Abbasid Empires, the two major empires of the medieval Islamic world. Know how these two empires spread Islam and the lasting effects of that spread today

Essential Question How do empires rise and fall?

The Umayyad Empire After the death of Ali, the Umayyad family set up a dynasty. They were Sunnis. Their capital was Damascus, in Syria. They spread Islam across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Why were the Umayyads so successful in spreading Islam? Byzantine and Persian Empires were weak Fighting methods: camel and horse cavalry Common faith inspired army Fair treatment of conquered people

The Umayyad Empire- Challenges Had to adapt from desert life to ruling large cities and huge territories Arabs had more rights than non-Arabs Shiites still angry about murder of Ali When conquests stopped, money stopped coming in, and people turned to a new leader

Abbasid Empire ( ) The new leader was Abu al-Abbas, who captured Damascus in 750. He invited the Umayyads to a banquet, then killed them all. The Abbas family became Shiites to gain their support. The Abbasids ended Arab dominance and made Islam a universal religion.

New Capital: Baghdad Moved the capital to Baghdad (today in Iraq) Strong Persian influence Huge center of trade and culture Leader during Baghdad’s peak: Harun al-Rashid

Decline of the Abbasid Empire Starting in 850, Abbasid control fragmented Spain, Egypt and other areas were ruled by separate states Civil Wars Invasions: Seljuks, Crusaders, and Mongols How was its decline similar to the decline of Ancient Rome?

Seljuk Turks From Central Asia Adopted Islam Ruled by a sultan Took over Baghdad Threatened Byzantines and motivated Urban II to call the first Crusade

Crusaders In 1099 captured Jerusalem It went back in forth for hundreds of years in bloody battle Crusades had more of a cultural impact in Europe than in the Middle East The Crusaders did not take Muslim land permanently, but created centuries of hostility

Continuing Influence After the caliphates fell, the Middle East became very politically divided- and still is today Islam still linked these diverse people as a common religion What other effects can you think of?