The Abbasid Empire

1. The Abbasid Empire Chapter 6 (part 5 of 5)

2. Arab Empire Becomes More Islamic Abbasid more righteous in their Sunni Islam Turn on Shia, who had helped them gain power Move capital from Damascus to Baghdad

3. The Baghdad Bureaucracy

4. An executioner followed the caliph around • At a moment’s notice, the caliph would order a person murdered • Wouldn’t shy away from killing important Muslims to show Abbasid caliph in charge of the religion

5. Abbasid Start Converting People

6. Merchant class grew under Abbasid rule (Afro-Eurasian trade revived) Economic Boom Traded with Tang and Song dynasties in China Muslim merchants worked with Jewish and Christian merchants Dhows– triangular Arab sailing ships, influenced later European ships

7. Artisans mostly poor, but not slaves (owned own tools) Skilled artisans formed guilds (like labor unions) New handicraft production led to new workshops opening, and cities growing Products made by Muslims under the Abbasid caliphate included: Furniture Tapestries Carpets Glassware Jewelry

8. Slaves Used by wealthy for domestic service and on public works Slaves could advance in status and buy freedom

9. Others in Abbasid Empire Ayan Wealthy elite class that arose in the countryside under Abbasid rule Peasants Most did not own land, instead worked as sharecroppers on estates

10. Islamic Art and Architecture Mostly focuses on building mosques

12. Abbasid Decline • By 800s, Abbasid began losing control of huge empire • Non-Arab Muslims in empire began setting up own kingdoms (like Turks)

13. Great Achievements of the Arab Empire