1. Turning Points in Islamic Civilization
WHI: SOL 8c
Turning Points in Islamic Civilization

2. Historical turning points
Death of Ali: Sunni-Shi’a division
Split into two branches if Islam based on who should be caliph

3. Muslim conquests of Jerusalem and Damascus
Conquered by the Umayyad dynasty
Treated “people of the book” Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians to practice their own faith and follow their own laws
Damascus was set-up as the capital of the Umayyad dynasty

4. Islamic capital moved to Baghdad
Abbasid empire overthrew the Umayyad empire
Moved the capital to Baghdad
Baghdad established, grew to be more powerful and wealthy than Constantinople

5. Muslim defeat at the Battle of Tours
711 a.d. Muslims conquered Spain
731 a.d. Muslims moved north into France to settle new areas
Frankish forces defeated the Muslim military, Islam spread no further into Europe

6. Fall of Baghdad to the Mongols
1216 a.d. Genghis Khan and Golden Horde swept across central Asia
1258 a.d. Hulagu the grandson of Genghis Khan burned and looted Baghdad, killing the Abbasid caliph