History of Africa and the Middle East (IB)

Abbasid Dynasty

Abbasid Dynasty

A dynasty that ruled from 750 to 1258, succeeding the Umayyads and known for its cultural and intellectual achievements.

Abbasid Revolution

The uprising that led to the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate, supported by Shia Muslims and effective military strategies.

Battle of Zab

The decisive battle in 750 that marked the end of Umayyad rule.

Baghdad

The capital established by the Abbasids, which became a major cultural and intellectual center.

Centralized Bureaucratic State

The political structure of the Abbasid Caliphate, influenced by Persian administrative practices.

Ulama

Islamic scholars who studied at madrasas to ensure uniformity in religious practices and interpret Sharia law.

Golden Age of Islam

A period marked by significant advancements in various fields such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine during Abbasid rule.

Al-Mansur

The Abbasid caliph who established Baghdad and strengthened the caliphate's administrative structures.

Harun al-Rashid

The caliph during the peak of the Golden Age, known for expanding trade and establishing the House of Wisdom.

Al-Ma'mun

The caliph who faced civil war and developed the Mu'tazilite School of Thought.

Fatimid Dynasty

A Shia dynasty that claimed descent from Fatimah, daughter of Prophet Muhammad, and established a caliphate in North Africa.

Cairo

The capital of the Fatimid Dynasty, which became a cultural and intellectual hub.

Al-Mu'izz

The caliph who oversaw the conquest of Egypt and unified Fatimid rule in North Africa.

Crusades

A series of religious wars initiated by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.

First Crusade

The 1096-1099 campaign that resulted in the capture of Jerusalem and increased hostility between Christians and Muslims.

Ottoman Empire

A powerful empire that rose in the late 13th century, known for its military conquests and cultural achievements.

Mehmet II

The Ottoman sultan who captured Constantinople, renaming it Istanbul and expanding the empire.

Janissaries

Elite infantry units that formed the backbone of the Ottoman military.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade routes that connected West Africa to North Africa, controlled by empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

Mansa Musa

The famous ruler of the Mali Empire known for his wealth and pilgrimage to Mecca, which showcased the empire's prosperity.

Shaka Zulu

A leader who centralized and expanded the Zulu kingdom through military innovations.

Apartheid

A system of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa enforced by the National Party from 1948.

Nelson Mandela

A key figure in the anti-apartheid movement who became South Africa's first black president in 1994.

African National Congress (ANC)

The political party that led the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

A regional group aimed at promoting economic integration and stability in West Africa.