1. WHI: SOL 8b
Spread of Islam

2. Geographic influences on the origin and spread of Islam
Diffusion along trade routes from Mecca and Medina
Expansion despite great distances, desert environments, and mountain barriers
Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia facilitated by weak Byzantine and Persian empires

3. Geographic influences on economic, social, and political development
Political unity of the first Muslim empire was short-lived.
Arabic language spread with Islam and facilitated trade across Islamic lands.
Slavery was not based on race.

6. Diffusion Diffusion of Islam Division of Islam
Mohammed declared a jihad—a holy war undertaken by Muslims against unbelievers. 
Islam claimed Mecca and portions of Arabia. 
Expansion continued after Mohammed’s death, but Islam also spread through trade and travel, not just through conquest. 
Division of Islam
After the prophet’s death, there was division between the Sunni and the Shi’a over the issue of who should rule.

7. Shiite (Shi’a) Strict Islamic followers
Believe the caliph MUST be a direct blood descendant of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Son-in-law Ali
Predominantly in modern day Iran

8. Sunni Believe any devout Muslim can be caliph
Does NOT have to be a direct descendant of Muhammad
Use Sharia as a basis but not followed exactly
Most Muslims are Sunni****

9. Islamic Empires Umayyad (Sunni) Abbasid (Shiite) Seljuk (Sunni)
Mongols (from Mongolia, converted to Islam)
Ottoman (Sunni- Turks)
Safavid (Shiite- Persia)

10. Umayyad Empire

11. Abbasid Empire

12. Seljuk Empire

13. Mongols

14. Ottoman

15. Safavid