1. CHAPTER 2 SECTION 3

2. MAJOR CROSSROADS BETWEEN EUROPE, ASIA & AFRICA

3.  Began in the early 600s with the prophet Muhammad  Sacred book – Quran  Spread rapidly because of trade & conquest

4.  1. Shahada – act of bearing witness  2. Prayer – 5 times a day  3. Almsgiving – assisting the poor – “purifying” their wealth  4. Fasting – month of Ramadan – 9 th month of the Islamic calendar – dawn to sunset no: food, drink, or smoking  5. Pilgrimage – visit Mecca once during lifetime if physically & financially able (hajj)

5. Trade route between Middle East & China Very dangerous but very prosperous

6. EAST AFRICA  Coast  Strong city-states  Great Muslim influence  Swahili WEST AFRICA  Mali & Songhai & Timbuktu  Mansa Musa from Mali – showed wealth of Africa & influence of Islam to world

7.  Most lived outside of kingdoms in villages  Living based on herding, fishing & farming  Most people lived with their extended families

8.  Society centered around one emperor  Suspicious of outsiders  1402-1435 Zheng He caused trade to boom  Ended with his death – China very isolated