1. THE SPREAD OF ISLAM CONQUESTS, 634 – 711
Conquests of areas outside of Arabia began under Umar (2nd Caliph)
Wave 1
Syria
Egypt
Sasanid
Wave 2
Tunisia
Spain
Sind
Arab forces were organized into regular armies stationed in military camps

2. THE SPREAD OF ISLAM CONQUESTS, 634 – 711
Arab Muslims were minority rulers…
Spread over non-Muslim communities
Dominated and taxed new subjects
Not pressured to convert to Islam

3. UMAYYAD & ABBASID CALIPHATES
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
UMAYYAD & ABBASID CALIPHATES
UMAYYAD rule an Arab empire, not a Muslim Empire
Used existing Sasanid and Byzantine structures, and slowly brought in Muslim bureaucrats and Arabic language
Overthrown in 750, but Spain remained in the hands of the Abbas
Family lineage to Muhammad; Abbas was an uncle

4. UMAYYAD & ABBASID CALIPHATES
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
UMAYYAD & ABBASID CALIPHATES
ABBASID Caliphate
Hold Caliphate until 1258 – provide religious leadership…adopt ceremonies/customs of the Sasanids
Literature and learning thrive
Translate Greek, Persian & Indian textbooks
Baghdad was the cultural center
Increase conversion numbers (more people become Muslim)

5. POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
Abbasid power declines; impossible to maintain control over vast territory; local revolts carve realm into smaller independent states
Mamluks (Turkish slave soldiers), Shi’ite Buyids, and Samanids each take turns controlling the caliphate…

6. POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
Berber revolts on the northern fringe of the Sahara:
Establishment of Sijilmasa and Tahert (city-states)
Become wealthy cities…mint coins that circulate as far as Egypt and Syria
Kharijite beliefs interfere with overland trade…lead to first trade across Sahara desert

7. POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
Ghana – “land of gold”
Prospers until 1076, when it was conquered by desert nomads
One of the first lands outside the orbit of the caliphate to experience gradual/peaceful conversion to Islam
Fatimid Dynasty (Egypt)
Governed from a palace complex they named “Cairo”
Egypt becomes major cultural, intellectual, and political center
Economic power comes from West African gold => abundant coinage

8. POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION(s)
Umayyads – blend Roman, Germanic, and Jewish traditions with those of Arabs and Berbers
Spain’s Iberian territories grow substantially…inhabitants create new architecture and literary styles
Countryside areas in Spain create most diverse and sophisticated agricultural economy in Europe

9. ASSAULT FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
ASSAULT FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Seljuk Turks
Rule territories stretching from northern Afghanistan to Baghdad
Took Anatolia from Byzantines in 1071
Collapse of Baghdad
Deterioration of Tigris-Euphrates irrigation system
Lack of revenue
Lack of food
Political quarreling

10. ASSAULT FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
ASSAULT FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Crusades:
Pressure on Islamic lands by Christian invaders
Muslims unite under Saladin and descendents to drive Christians out
Mamluks take over Egypt:
Seize control of government in 1250
Ride east to take on new invading force – the Mongols