1. Islam Expands
A.D. 632: Muhammad died - Muslims elected Abu-Bakr to be first Caliph – successor or deputy
There had been a contest between Abu Bakr (uncle) and Ali (nephew), which split many of Muhammad’s followers
First four caliphs guided by the Qur’an and Muhammad’s actions – chosen by a selection of Muslim elders “Rightly Guided Caliphs”
Jihad - Armed struggle against unbelievers- used to expand Islam
A form of Raiding – entering towns or cities forcefully and slowly wearing away at them before they fall/are destroyed

2. Sunni – Shi’a Split
Struggles for power end the elective system of choosing a caliph via Muslim elders from Muhammad’s descendants
A.D. 661 – Umayyad family took power in Muslim world; move Muslim capital to Damascus
Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan, a long-time governor who served Muhammad at one point, and his family took power after the fourth caliph died
They made Damascus, Syria their capital
Muslims split into different factions because of the Umayyad's’ actions
Shia - Believed caliph should be Muhammad’s line
Sunni— Supported the Umayyad dynasty
Sufi focus on spirituality; Reject Umayyads and their rule over the Muslim world

4. Rise of the Abbasids
750 A.D. – The Abbasids kill the Umayyad family - take power
The Abbasids descended from Muhammad’s youngest uncle, Abbas Ibn Abd al-Muttalib. It was always felt that by Muhammad’s descendants that the Umayyad's were false leaders; when the opportunity for peace presented itself in a meeting the Abbasids attacked
Abbasids murder Umayyad family; Prince Abd al-Rahman flees to Spain; establishes caliphate in al-Andalus – later known as Granada (Spanish Reconquista)
al-Andalus—Muslim state in southern Spain settled by North Africans
Muslim expansion into Spain is halted by the Frankish forces during the Battle of Tours in 700s
Most of the Spain remained Christian; experienced Muslim rule
762 - A.D. - Abbasids move Muslim capital to Baghdad
Developed strong trade connections/government bureaucracy

6. Administration
Rulers of the caliphate are known as caliphs and, later, sultans
Caliphs appointed viziers, prime ministers to proclaim the will of the ruler to the people
Caliphs eventually stayed behind screens in the presence of people
Made it easier for assassination attempts (some of which were successful)
Appointed governors for provinces who were responsible for providing tribute/taxes to the ruler in Baghdad

7. Muslim Scholarship
Muslims valued scholarship and built Houses of Wisdom—Academies with libraries
These were places dedicated to translating texts from different parts of the world (including those belonging to the Greeks and Romans) and preserving them to study
Persian Physician Al-Razi wrote encyclopedia on diseases/treatments
Persian Mathematician Al-Khwarizmi developed algebra and wrote a textbook
Abbasid caliphate poets write of nature, life, and love – could find a theme related to Allah in most art forms
Popular literature includes The Thousand and One Nights – story of Aladdin and Scherherzade come from this anthology of stories

10. Class and Gender
Traded with the Byzantine Empire/East Asia via Indian Ocean Trade Routes/Silk Roads
Constant contact connection between Christians/Jews/Muslims (people of the book)
Gave rise to a wealthy merchant upper class – usually had the most influence/power in the cities they dwelled in
Sometimes Non-Muslims were not afforded the same rights/privileges that Muslims were given under the law (Sharia)
Slavery was allowed in Islam; could not own Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians theoretically
Women could sometimes own property and, rarely, get divorced
Women were forced to wear hijab, confined to harems – living spaces for women separate from men

11. Fall of the Abbasids
Abbasids faced economic hardships when Silk Roads shifted northward from Baghdad
1100 – 1200s – Abbasids faced invasions from outside groups
Mamluks – Turkic group in Egypt that used to be military slaves; took control of Egypt and established a new empire in Northern Africa
Seljuk Turks – Group from Central Asia that converted to Islam. They invaded the Middle East and even took Baghdad
Leader took the title of “Sultan” – strength
Mongols come in 1258 A.D. - conquer what is left of the Abbasid empire and kick out the Seljuk Turks in Baghdad. (considered end of golden age)