AP World History Unit 1.2

Developments in Dar al-Islam

Introduction

• Quran Excerpt: "Allah will admit those who embrace the true faith and do good works to gardens watered by running streams." - Chapter 47.

• Essential Question: In the period from c. 1200 to c. 1450, how did Islamic states arise, and how did major religious systems shape society?

Spread of Islam After Muhammad

• Following Muhammad's death in 632, Islam expanded rapidly.

• Expansion through military actions, merchants, and missionaries.

• Spread reached from India to Spain, emphasizing tolerance for monotheistic faiths (Christians, Jews).

• Abbasid Empire: Baghdad as a center of learning (House of Wisdom), playing a crucial role in transferring knowledge across Afro-Eurasia.

Invasions and Shifts in Trade Routes

Challenges Faced by the Abbasids

• Confronted conflicts with nomadic groups (Central Asia) and European invaders.

• Egyptian Mamluks: Enslaved Turks from Central Asia, who later gained power by facilitating trade. Established the Mamluk Sultanate (1250-1517), which controlled trade in cotton and sugar.

• Declined due to the emergence of European sea trade routes.

Seljuk Turks

• An Islamic group that began conquering parts of the Middle East in the 11th century.

• Extended influence, challenging Abbasids, and reducing the caliph's authority.

Crusaders

• Limited travel to holy sites by Seljuk Turks led to the Christian Crusades, aiming to reopen access.

Mongols

• Conquered the Abbasid Empire in 1258, ending Seljuk rule and pushing westward, stopped by Mamluks in Egypt.

Economic Competition

• Abbasids vital in connecting trade across Asia, Europe, and North Africa since the 8th century.

• Shift in trade routes diminished Baghdad's wealth and population, leading to infrastructure decay.

Cultural and Social Life

Fragmentation and Formation of New States

• Political fragmentation after Abbasids; new states adopted Abbasid practices but were shaped by Turkic peoples.

• Examples: Mamluks, Seljuks, and the Delhi Sultanate, emphasizing Turkic influence.

• By the 16th century, three major Islamic states emerged: the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire, and the Mughal Empire.

Cultural Region and Trade

• Trade facilitated the spread of goods and ideas; common legal systems formed through shariah.

• Major universities established in Baghdad, Córdoba, Cairo, and Bukhara encouraged intellectual collaborations.

Cultural Continuity

• Scholars preserved knowledge through translations of Greek texts into Arabic (e.g., Aristotle).

• Mathematics and paper-making techniques learned from India and China.

Cultural Innovations

Contributions of Scholars

• Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (1201 – 1274): Advancements in astronomy and mathematics; built a leading observatory.

• Ibn Khaldun (1332 – 1406): Founder of historiography and sociology through his historical accounts.

• 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (1460 – 1507): Prolific female writer emphasizing Sufi mysticism and women's status.

Commerce, Class, and Diversity

• Merchants held elevated status; trade revival on the Silk Roads led to significant wealth accumulation.

• Initial ethnic discrimination against non-Arabs gradually reduced by the 9th century.

• Slavery permitted, but Muslims could not enslave other Muslims or certain religious groups. Conversion to Islam led to emancipation opportunities for slaves.

Status of Women in Islam

• Common practices predate Islam (e.g., head coverings) became solidified.

• Muhammad raised women's status through equitable treatment and rights (e.g., inheriting property, initiating divorce).

Islamic Rule in Spain

Umayyad Influence in Spain

• Muslim invasion of Spain in 711; Córdoba became a center of tolerance and trade.

• Battle of Tours (732): Stopped Islamic expansion into Western Europe, but Muslims continued to rule Spain for seven centuries.

Cultural and Scholarly Transfers

• al-Andalus: A significant center for learning; promoted interaction among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

• Ibn Rushd's influence on Maimonides; both contributed to the development of Renaissance thought in Europe.

Key Terms by Theme

• Government: Mamluk Sultanate, Abbasid Caliphate, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Mongols.

• Culture: House of Wisdom, Golden Age, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah.

Conclusion

• The period between c. 1200 and c. 1450 sees Islamic states arise influenced by earlier traditions and innovations, shaping societies through cultural exchanges and adaptations.

Impacts of Developments in Dar al-Islam

• Cultural Exchange: The expansion of Islam facilitated the interchange of ideas, goods, and technologies between diverse cultures across Afro-Eurasia.

• Economic Growth: The establishment of trade networks contributed to significant economic interactions, culminating in wealth accumulation and urbanization in Islamic cities.

• Intellectual Advancements: The flourishing of scholarship in various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy, laid foundations for future developments in Europe during the Renaissance.

• Social Structures: The Islamic faith influenced social dynamics, impacting the status of women, the treatment of non-Muslims, and class stratification within society.

• Political Developments: The emergence of varying Islamic states showcased a blend of governance styles, leading to the development of unique political entities like the Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, and Mughal Empire.

Key Terms by Theme (Etymologies)

• Mamluk Sultanate: "Mamluk" comes from the Arabic word for "owned" or "slave"; refers to enslaved soldiers who gained power.

• Abbasid Caliphate: Named after Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the uncle of Muhammad, the Abbasids rose to power in 750 CE.

• Seljuk Turks: Named after the founder of the Seljuk dynasty, Seljuk Bey, who led the Turkish tribes into the Middle East in the 11th century.

• Crusaders: Derived from the Latin word "crux," meaning "cross," referring to the Christian soldiers who fought in the Crusades.

• Mongols: Comes from the name of the Mongolic people, a group of nomadic tribes in Central Asia that formed one of the largest empires in history.

• House of Wisdom: A translation from Arabic "Bait al-Hikma," which refers to the academic institution during the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, emphasizing collective knowledge.

• Golden Age: Refers to a period of great cultural, economic, and scientific flourishment, derived from the metaphor of gold denoting quality and value.

• Nasir al-Din al-Tusi: Etymology involves Arabic elements "Nasir" (helper) and "al-Din" (of the faith), indicating someone who aids religious practices; Tusi references his birthplace, Tus, Iran.

• 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah: 'A'ishah is derived from the Arabic word for "alive," while "al-Ba'uniyyah" indicates her connection to a specific place or family lineage, linking her to her heritage as a noted scholar and mystic.