1. The Spread of Islam

2. Spread of Islam
Islam spreads despite major geographic barriers including mountains and deserts

3. Spread of Islam
It first spread along the major trade routes to Mecca and Medina
Arabic language facilitated trade and intellectual activities

4. Arabs as Conquerors Tolerant of conquered people
Conquered people had three choices
Convert to Islam
Don’t convert, pay annual tribute
Non-Muslims couldn’t be in government
Refusal of both meant death
Muslims conquer major cities of Jerusalem and Damascus

5. Arabs as Conquerors
Muslim invasion into Europe stopped at Battle of Tours when Franks defeat Moors of Spain
In less than 100 years, Muslim/Arab empire spread from India to Spain