AP World History Unit 1.2
AP World History Unit 1.2: Developments in Dar-al-Islam
Overview
Dar-al-Islam: Refers to the regions where Islam is the dominant religion and Islamic law is practiced.
Significant developments from 600 CE to 1450 CE, including cultural, political, and economic advancements.
Key Developments
1. Expansion of Islam
Caliphates:
Rashidun (632-661): First four caliphs; rapid expansion through military conquests.
Umayyad (661-750): Expanded the empire from Spain to India; established Arabic as the administrative language.
Abbasid (750-1258): Focused on cultural and scientific advancements; capital in Baghdad became a cultural hub.
2. Cultural Flourishing
Golden Age of Islam:
Advancements in science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy.
Notable scholars: Al-Khwarizmi (algebra), Avicenna (medicine), Al-Farabi (philosophy).
Literature and Arts:
Development of poetry, calligraphy, and architecture (e.g., mosques, palaces).
Notable works: "One Thousand and One Nights."
3. Trade and Economy
Trade Networks:
Connected regions through the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean trade, and Trans-Saharan routes.
Spread of goods (silk, spices), ideas (Islam, technology), and culture.
Economic Innovations:
Introduction of credit, banking systems, and the use of checks (sakk).
Growth of urban centers (Baghdad, Cairo, Cordoba) as trade hubs.
4. Religious Developments
Sunni vs. Shia:
Split over leadership after Muhammad's death; significant political and cultural implications.
Sufism:
Mystical branch of Islam emphasizing personal experience of God; contributed to the spread of Islam through missionary work.
5. Intellectual Exchange
Translation Movement:
Translation of Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic; preservation and enhancement of knowledge.
Institutions:
Establishment of libraries and universities (e.g., House of Wisdom in Baghdad) promotingP