2. Cultural blending is the result of different cultures interacting. Culture blending can be caused by migration, trade, conquest, or pursuit of religious freedom or conversion. Results of cultural blending could be changes in language, religion, government styles, or arts and architectures.

3. LocationInteracting Cultures Reason for Interaction Some Results of Interaction India- 1000 B.C. Aryan and Dravidian Indian Arab, African, and Indian Migration Vedic culture, forerunner of Hinduism East Africa- 700 Islamic and Christian Trade and religious conversion New trade language, Swahili Russia- 1000Christian and Slavic Religious conversion Eastern Christianity, Russian Identity Mexico- 1500Spanish and Aztec Conquest Mestizo culture, Mexican Catholicism United States- 1900 European, Asian, and Caribbean. Migration and Religious freedom Cultural diversity

4.  Sunni Muslims persecuted the Safavids, Shi’a Muslims, for their different practices  In fear, the Safavids raised an army to protect and establish themselves  14 year old Isma’il proclaimed himself Shah and conquered all the way to Baghdad  Shi’a Safavids killed all the Sunni they could; Sunni Ottomans killed all the Shi’a possible

5.  Shah Abbas was a leader in the 1500’s who lead the Safavids to their peak.  Shah Abbas created two completely loyal armies and gave them new weapons to ensure they were good fighters, he removed all corrupt government officials from positions of power, and he drew in gifted artists.  One of the reasons Shah Abbas was such a strong leader was that he brought in good ideas he saw in other cultures and built upon them so they were strong. Some of the ideas he used to create the Safavid’s powerful culture joining the Persian style of learning with the faith of the Shi’a, and Chinese art that helped rebuild the capital of Esfahan.

6.  Once the Safavid Empire reached their greatest height, they began to decline.  Shah Abbas feared that his most talented sons would seize power from him, so he either killed or injured them all.  As a result, when Shah was gone his weak and ineffective grandson became shah (king) after him.