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Spread of Islam. Pre-Islam – Abbasid Caliphate. Pre-Islam. Arab peninsula was populated by Bedouin societies Organized by kin-related clans Arab cities linked the Mediterranean to East Asia Women enjoyed more freedom in Bedouin societies than in Byzantine/ Sassanian Empires
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Spread of Islam Pre-Islam – Abbasid Caliphate
Pre-Islam • Arab peninsula was populated by Bedouin societies • Organized by kin-related clans • Arab cities linked the Mediterranean to East Asia • Women enjoyed more freedom in Bedouin societies than in Byzantine/Sassanian Empires • Bedouin religion blended animism and polytheism
Islam • Universalistic Islam • Appealed to individuals from many different world cultures • Monotheistic based on law, egalitarianism, and world community • Accepted components of Judaism and Christianity • Five Pillars: Islam’s unifying beliefs • 1. Confession/acceptance of Islam • 2. Pray fives times daily • 3. Fasting during Ramadan • 4. Payment of tithe to charity • 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca
Umayyad Caliphate Origins Political Won political victory militarily Capital was moved to Damascus (Syria) Set up a theocracy (religious and political law is one and the same) • 661-750 • Sunnis (Umayyads led the vast majority of Muslims) • Conquered much of Northern Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Western Europe (Spain)
Umayyad Caliphate Economic Social Women had a higher status under Umayyads than Abbasids Their higher status dates back to Muhammad’s teachings and Bedouin traditions Non-believers lost profitable jobs and paid higher taxes • Did not aggressively seek converts, eventually non-Muslims will pay more tax and become more profitable for the Umayyads • Trade was controlled by the Muslims • Goods and “ideas” were globally exchanged as never before
Umayyad Caliphate Decline • Umayyad’s lavish and wealthy lifestyles were considered by the army to be outside the faith • Soldiers were getting tired of being posted on the frontiers of the empire • Revolts began • Final rebellion occurred when Abu al-Abbas overthrew and murdered most of the Umayyad clan.
Abbasid Caliphate Origin Political Set up a bureaucracy of absolute authority Symbolized by the Royal Executioner at the caliph’s side Moved capital to Baghdad. • Abu al-Abbas led a successful revolt against the Umayyad caliphate • Betrayed his Shiites allies and began persecuting them.
Abbasid Caliphate Economic Social Due to urbanization, women lost their status. Cloistering, the veil, and the harem would symbolize this loss Baghdad House of Wisdom - first international center dedicated to learning. • Encouraged the conversion of non-believers • Converts paid less taxes and enjoyed more freedom under the Abbasids • Trade exploded with a new merchant (middle) class • Urbanization increased • Guild system controlled prices
Abbasid Caliphate Decline • Decline came from both within and outside the empire • Persian bureaucrats became more influential • Different groups broke away from the empire • Mamluk Sultanate • Saljuk Turks • Eventually destroyed by the Mongols