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