1. Islam: Emergence, Expansion and Spread
Unit 6 – Lesson 2
Islam: Emergence, Expansion and Spread

2. Power and Religion moving at different rates
The Spread of Islam
Power and Religion moving at different rates

3. Islamic Expansion

4. Examine this map now… The previous map showed the spread of Islamic influence through conquest.

5. Expansion vs. Spread
Expansion refers to the expansion of territories under Muslim rule
Happened very rapidly
By 750 – area included Middle East, Spain/North Africa to the Indus River valley area of Northwestern India.
Spread refers to when people in conquered lands converted to the religion Islam
More gradual
For example, conversion happened at different times: 900 C.E. for Egypt, Iran (Persia), Iraq 1000C.E. for NW India, 1200 C.E for Syria

6. Other factors in the spread of Islam
Some non-Muslims, who were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes. Some people converted to avoid heavier taxes.
Easily“portable” nomads & trade routes.
Jihad (“Holy War”) fighting to protect the religion; sometimes this meant targeting pagans and other non-believers.

7. The expansion of Islamic political power

8. Political Conquests
As the first caliph (deputy), or successor to Muhammad, Abu Bakr faced a crisis.
Some Arab tribal leaders who had been loyal to Muhammad refused to follow Abu Bakr and withdrew their loyalty to Islam.
Abu Bakr succeeded in reuniting the Arabs, based first and foremost on their belief in Islam.
Once reunited, the Arabs set out on a series of military conquests.

9. From Victory to Victory
Under the first four caliphs, Arab armies marched from victory to victory.
They conquered large areas of the Byzantine empire, including the provinces of Syria and Palestine, with the cities of Damascus and Jerusalem.
Next, they rapidly conquered the Persian empire.
The Arabs then swept into Egypt.

10. From Victory to Victory
Later Muslim armies conquered even more lands.
From Egypt, the Caliphate armies traveled west, defeating Byzantine forces across North Africa.
In 711, they crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain and pushed north into France.
There, in 732, they were defeated at the battle of Tours.

11. From Victory to Victory
The Muslim advance into Western Europe was halted. Even so, Muslims would rule parts of Spain for centuries.
Elsewhere, Muslims besieged the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, but failed to take the well-defended city.
Later waves of conquests would expand Muslim rule farther into the continents of Asia and Africa.
Turn and Talk: Why do you think the Caliphate armies were so successful in expanding their power? Make your best guesses.

12. Reasons for Success Why did the Arabs have so many victories?
One reason was the weakness of the Byzantine and Persian empires.
These longtime rivals had fought each other for so long they were both tired and weak.
Many people in the Fertile Crescent welcomed the Arabs as liberators from harsh Byzantine or Persian rule.

13. Other Reasons for Success
Bold, efficient fighting methods also contributed to the Arab success.
The use of camels to mount aggressive attacks helped them overwhelm more traditional armies.
Islam united different tribes into a unified state. Belief in Islam and the certainty of paradise for those who fell in battle spurred the Arab armies to victory.

14. Treatment of Conquered People
The advancing Arabs brought many people under their rule.
Muslim leaders placed a special tax on non-Muslims, but they allowed Christians, Jews, and others to practice their own faiths and follow their own laws.
As Muslim civilization developed, some Jews and Christians played key roles as officials, doctors, and translators.
In time, some non-Muslims converted to Islam.

15. Empire of the Caliphs
After the murder of Ali, the Umayyad (oh M-I ad) family set up a dynasty that ruled the Islamic world until 750.
From their capital at Damascus in Syria, they directed the conquests that carried Islam from the Atlantic to the Indus Valley.

16. Umayyads
Even as victories expanded the Arab empire, the Umayyads faced numerous problems.
First, they had to adapt from desert life to ruling large cities and huge territories.
To govern their empire, the Umayyads often relied on local officials, including educated Jews, Greeks, and Persians.

17. Umayyads
Byzantine and Persian traditions of government influenced Arab rulers.
While conquests continued, vast wealth flowed into Umayyad hands.
When conquests slowed in the 700s, conflict increased between wealthy Arabs and those who had less. Many Muslims criticized the court at Damascus for abandoning the simple ways of the early caliphs.
Non-Arab Muslims had fewer rights than Arab Muslims, and they began to call for more equality as well.
These problems weakened the Umayyad Dynasty.

18. Turn and Talk and Exit Pass
Take a moment and think about the question below.
Turn and Talk about it to help generate ideas.
Then, as directed by your teacher, write a short exit pass that answers the question.
What did the Umayyad Dynasty have in common with the Roman Empire? Think about how they grew, and also think about the problems they faced.

19. Property of Oakland Schools
Authors: Stacie Woodward and Darin Stockdill
Editor: Amy Bloom
Academic Review: Ian Moyer