1. Chapter Seven Ms. Tully AP World History
Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islamic Civilization to South and Southeast Asia
Chapter Seven
Ms. Tully
AP World History

2. Islamic Heartlands in the Middle and Late Abbasid Eras
Abbasid rule CE
Decline and distress apparent by mid 9th century
Sumptuous living, civil war drain treasury
Shi’a revolts, assassination attempts against Abbasid officials

3. Islamic Heartlands in the Middle and Late Abbasid Eras
Peasant revolts about increasing taxes
Rise of mercenary armies
Freedom and influence of women declined
Abbasid wealth generated large demand for concubines and male slaves

4. Divisions Within the Empire
Provinces became independent kingdoms by mid 10th C
945 – Buyids of Persia capture Baghdad
Seljuk Turks defeat Buyids in 1055 CE

5. The Impact of the Christian Crusades
1096 CE – Christian Crusaders invade Muslim territory
Eight Crusades over two centuries
Under Saladin Muslim recaptured crusader kingdoms in 12th century
Intense European borrowing from Muslim world

6. The Islamic Golden Age
Political decline and social turmoil were offset for many by the urban affluence, inventiveness, and artistic creativity of the Abbasid Age
Flourishing of trade
Rise of Persian literature – Rubaiyat by Oman Khayyam, Shah- Nama by Firdawsi

7. The Islamic Golden Age Major developments in math and science
Al-Razi and Chemistry
Developments in medicine
Influx of Chinese technology

8. Religious Trends and New Invasions
Ulama – Orthodox Muslim scholars  increasingly hostile to non-islamic ideas and scientific thinking
Sufism (Sufis) – reaction against impersonal/abstract Islam
13th C – Rise of the Mongols
Hulegu led Mongol assault on Baghdad – sacked
Mongols expansion stopped by Mamluks

9. The Coming of Islam to South Asia
Hinduism – adaptable, tolerant, flexible
Islam – very different from Hinduism
8th C – Muslim traders bring Islam to India
711 – Sind (NW province) conquered
962 – Mahmud of Ghanzi led expeditions into N. India
Muhammad of Ghur – Conquered lots of Indian territory
1206 – Creation of Delhi Sultanate by Qutb-ub- din Aibak

11. Islam in India
Islamic civilization was enriched by Indian culture, while Indian achievements were passed to Arabs
Colonies of Arabs along coastline
Conversions usually won peacefully – Sufi missionaries, merchants

12. Islam in India Converts usually Buddhist or low-caste groups
Hinduism not strongly impacted by Islam
Islam succumbs to caste system; could not eradicate it
Unfortunate consequences for women

13. The Spread of Islam to Southeast Asia
Islam introduced by Arab merchant sailors in 7th & 8th Centuries
Collapse of Shrivijaya empire in 13th C opened door for Islam
Islam grew through peaceful contact and voluntary conversion
Sufi allowed fusion of pre-Islamic beliefs with Islam

14. Global Connections
Despite the political instability of the Abbasids, Islam’s central position in global history was solidified.
Social strife and political divisions VS. expanding trade and intellectual creativity.
Islam brought a global culture to nomadic peoples in South and Southeast Asia.
The spread of Islam helps to create trade connections between various regions.
Islamic cultural contributions range from intellectual discoveries to universities.