Pre-Islam – Abbasid Caliphate

Arab peninsula was populated by Bedouin societies Arab peninsula was populated by Bedouin societies Organized by kin-related clans Organized by kin-related clans Arab cities linked the Mediterranean to East Asia Arab cities linked the Mediterranean to East Asia Women enjoyed more freedom in Bedouin societies than in Byzantine/Sassanian Empires Women enjoyed more freedom in Bedouin societies than in Byzantine/Sassanian Empires Bedouin religion blended animism and polytheism Bedouin religion blended animism and polytheism

Universalistic Islam Universalistic Islam Appealed to individuals from many different world cultures Appealed to individuals from many different world cultures Monotheistic based on law, egalitarianism, and world community Monotheistic based on law, egalitarianism, and world community Accepted components of Judaism and Christianity Accepted components of Judaism and Christianity Five Pillars: Islam’s unifying beliefs Five Pillars: Islam’s unifying beliefs 1. Confession/acceptance of Islam 1. Confession/acceptance of Islam 2. Pray fives times daily 2. Pray fives times daily 3. Fasting during Ramadan 3. Fasting during Ramadan 4. Payment of tithe to charity 4. Payment of tithe to charity 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

Sunnis (Umayyads led the vast majority of Muslims) Sunnis (Umayyads led the vast majority of Muslims) Conquered much of Northern Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Western Europe (Spain) Conquered much of Northern Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Western Europe (Spain) Origins Won political victory militarily Won political victory militarily Capital was moved to Damascus (Syria) Capital was moved to Damascus (Syria) Set up a theocracy (religious and political law is one and the same) Set up a theocracy (religious and political law is one and the same)

Did not aggressively seek converts, eventually non- Muslims will pay more tax and become more profitable for the Umayyads Did not aggressively seek converts, eventually non- Muslims will pay more tax and become more profitable for the Umayyads Trade was controlled by the Muslims Trade was controlled by the Muslims Goods and “ideas” were globally exchanged as never before Goods and “ideas” were globally exchanged as never before Economic Women had a higher status under Umayyads than Abbasids Women had a higher status under Umayyads than Abbasids Their higher status dates back to Muhammad’s teachings and Bedouin traditions Their higher status dates back to Muhammad’s teachings and Bedouin traditions Non-believers lost profitable jobs and paid higher taxes Non-believers lost profitable jobs and paid higher taxes

Umayyad’s lavish and wealthy lifestyles were considered by the army to be outside the faith Umayyad’s lavish and wealthy lifestyles were considered by the army to be outside the faith Soldiers were getting tired of being posted on the frontiers of the empire Soldiers were getting tired of being posted on the frontiers of the empire Revolts began Revolts began Final rebellion occurred when Abu al-Abbas overthrew and murdered most of the Umayyad clan. Final rebellion occurred when Abu al-Abbas overthrew and murdered most of the Umayyad clan.

Abu al-Abbas led a successful revolt against the Umayyad caliphate Abu al-Abbas led a successful revolt against the Umayyad caliphate Betrayed his Shiites allies and began persecuting them. Betrayed his Shiites allies and began persecuting them. Origin Set up a bureaucracy of absolute authority Set up a bureaucracy of absolute authority Symbolized by the Royal Executioner at the caliph’s side Symbolized by the Royal Executioner at the caliph’s side Moved capital to Baghdad. Moved capital to Baghdad.

Encouraged the conversion of non- believers Encouraged the conversion of non- believers Converts paid less taxes and enjoyed more freedom under the Abbasids Trade exploded with a new merchant (middle) class Trade exploded with a new merchant (middle) class Urbanization increased Urbanization increased Guild system controlled prices Guild system controlled prices Economic Due to urbanization, women lost their status. Due to urbanization, women lost their status. Cloistering, the veil, and the harem would symbolize this loss Cloistering, the veil, and the harem would symbolize this loss Baghdad House of Wisdom - first international center dedicated to learning. Baghdad House of Wisdom - first international center dedicated to learning.

Decline came from both within and outside the empire Decline came from both within and outside the empire Persian bureaucrats became more influential Persian bureaucrats became more influential Different groups broke away from the empire Different groups broke away from the empire Mamluk Sultanate Mamluk Sultanate Saljuk Turks Saljuk Turks Eventually destroyed by the Mongols Eventually destroyed by the Mongols