Shiite-Sunni Divide On Muhammad’s death, a Muslim’s disagreed about who should rule This disagreement would divide Muslims into two groups Still causes conflict today

Shiite Believed Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali should lead Thought his line possessed mystical powers Descendants called Imams Others thought any good Muslim could lead

Sunni A compromise between those groups Any pious male from Mohammad’s tribe Considered political leader more so than religious dde

The Safavid Empire

The Safavid Empire Between Ottomans and Mughals Located in modern day Iran Started as Nomadic Turks

The Safavid Empire 12 year old boy, Ismail, claimed to be the Imam Developed a following and eventually forged an empire This became the Safavid Empire Rulers called Shah

Shiite-Sunni Divide Safavid and Ottoman Empire came into conflict Ottoman = Sunni Safavid = Shiite Ismail defeated and captured by the Ottomans

Shah Abbas the Great Reached peak under Shah Abbas the Great Made peace with Ottomans Created a powerful, standing army Including own Janissaries out of kidnapped Russians

Shah Abbas the Great Reduced Taxes Tolerated non-Muslims Built a new capital, Isfahan Became the center for silk trade, run by Christian Armenians It had 163 mosques, more than 250 public baths, and about 1,800 shops.

Empire Declines Ottomans continue pressure Neglected sea trade, that was changing the world Shiite religious strife and persecution of Sunni’s caused rebellions

Muslim Empire Trading Card Directions: Create six trading cards related to the Muslim Empire. When you are finished, you’ll get to share and trade your cards with others so you can learn more. They should be two sided.   REQIUREMENTS: Create (9) trading cards. You must create three cards that have to do with events, three cards that have to do with important people, three that have to do with places from this period of history. You should have one from each empire for each catagory Use your text book, notes, and the internet to help you get ideas and to help you research. Your cards should be INFORMATIVE, neat, colorful, and creative.