Interactive Notebook Setup 2/13/2018 Safavid Empire This will be one page

Safavid Rise and Politics Conversion of Iran to Shi’a Islam Safavid Ottoman Conflict Methods of Establishing Shi’a Islam

Safavid Rise and Politics Filled power vacuum left by descendants of the Mongols in Persia, Mesopotamia, and Eastern Anatolia Founded by Shi’ite Muslims and Sufi brotherhoods Ismail, a leader from a prominent Sufi family, conquered most of these areas in the late 15th century 1501–1736

Safavid Rise and Politics Leaders converted to Shi’a Islam and established it as the state religion Created a full theocracy Adopted aspects of traditional Persian Culture and government Ismail wrote the following poem: Prostrate thyself! (Bow down) Pander not to Satan Adam has put on new clothes, God has come.

Safavid Rise and Politics Safavid rulers were called Shahs A Shah was an absolute ruler of the Safavid Empire Like the Ottomans the Safavid expanded their conquest through the use of muskets, cannons, and cavalry Also like the Ottomans military leaders were given grants of land in exchange for their service, requiring expansion

Conversion of Iran to Shi’a Islam Goals: Unify people under state controlled religion Create separate identify from Sunni Ottomans Gain control of established educational and religious institutions

Methods of Establishing Shi’a Islam Shahs built mosques and appointed prayer leaders in each village to secure Shia beliefs in empire Most famous known as the Shah Mosque Supported Shi’a scholars and schools, whose used influence to legitimize power of the state Persecuted Sunnis and destroyed their mosques

Safavid ottoman conflict Sunni(Ottoman)-Shia(Safavid) divide in Islam that emerged in the previous time period grew more intense and permanent in this era Ottomans and Safavid both claimed to be true protectors and leaders of Islam Both also used this conflict to unify their citizens and justify military expansion and government power

Safavid ottoman conflict Both carried out extreme acts of violence For Example: Isma’il destroyed the entire Sunni religious population in the city of Baghdad By killing all the Sunnis in Baghdad, Isma’il caused the Ottoman ruler, Selim the Grim, to order the execution of all Shiites in the Ottoman Empire Both suffered economically and politically as a result of this almost 300 year conflict

Safavid ottoman conflict Ottomans won Battle of Chaldiran in 1514 essentially containing Shi’a Islam to Iran Introduced gunpowder to Safavid Basically drawing the modern borders between Iran and Iraq

Safavid ottoman conflict Occasional fighting lasted until 1639 Both sides weakened by the drawn out conflict Overall Ottoman victory ensured the Sunni Islam would remain the more widely practiced interpretation of Islam