The Abbasid Dynasty

  • Abbasid Rule
    • By 750, the Abbasids took power from the Umayyad and built a powerful empire
    • The Abbasids held on to power because they built a standing army
    • They persuaded people to accept their rule by using the policy of inclusion in their government
    • Declared all Muslims were equal
    • Encouraged Christians and Jews to serve in the government
    • In 762, the Abbasids moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad to be closer to their Persian supporters
    • Baghdad was once a small village located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
    • As the population grew by more than 900,000, the Abbasids changed the city from desert into gardens with new and improved irrigation
    • Baghdad was the world’s major trading center due to its location between the east and west routes
    • Merchants brought goods from Africa, Europe, India, and China into Baghdad
    • Industry flourished and merchant were willing to pay for top prices for goods
  • Overthrow of the Abbasids
    • Failure of the leadership caused resentment
    • Enjoyed their power and wealth
    • Ignored government responsibilities
    • Didn’t protect merchants from bandits
    • Raised taxes due to the decline in trade
    • In the 10th century, the Fatimid Dynasty drove out the Abbasids in Egypt and Tunisia
    • Religious differences caused conflicts
      • Fatimids claimed descent from Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima
      • Fatimids were Shi’a Muslims and the Abbasids embraced Sunni Islam
      • Fatimids believed Muslims should live a simple lifestyle
    • The Fatimids built their capital city in Cairo and established their caliphate
    • By the 960s, the Fatimids controlled North Africa
    • The Seljuk Turks from Central Asia invaded and took control of Baghdad
    • The Seljuk leaders ruled the empire, but allowed the Abbasid caliph to remain the religious leader
    • They converted to Islam over time
    • They capture Jerusalem and attacked the Byzantine Empire, and played a major role in the Crusades
    • The invasion of the Mongols in 1258 ended the Abbasids dynasty