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