Do Now: What’s the historic importance of the Middle East?

“Middle East”Euro-Centric name given to describe the land

between the far east and Europe Includes North Africa, Maghreb, because of the

cultural ties including Islamic culture and Arabic language.

Situated between 3 continents making it a historically important area.

Oil ReservesTrade Routes

Between North Africa, Middle East, Europe and South and East Asia.

Religion Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Early civilizations and ideas Iron work, the alphabet, etc.

Suez Canal– Controlled by Egypt

Dardanelles and Bosporus--Controlled by Turkey (Turkish Straits)

Mediterranean, Black, Caspian, Aegean, Red and Arabian Seas

Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden

Region 1Anatolian Plateau

(Turkey) with fertile soil and enough moisture to farm—

Ringed by the Pontic and Taurus Mountains.

Large PopulationCenter of Ottoman

Empire

Region 2Iranian Plateau Ringed by Elburz

and Zagros Mountains

Very Dry Small PopulationBirthplace of the

Persian Empire

Surrounded by important bodies of water

Mostly desertPeople live in oases

(fertile areas in desert)Low PopulationLots of Oil and therefore

wealthy nationsHome of Mecca (Muslim

pilgrimage site)

Rich Soil and plenty of water

Includes Nile River delta

Home of Mesopotamia (land between the rivers) which was the birthplace of civilization

fertile and home of ancient Egypt and Nubia-Kush

Predictable floods

Valley was isolated by deserts.

Sparsely populated due to Sahara and Atlas Mountains

Most people live along Mediterranean Coast

Population near rivers, coasts and oasesTigris, Euphrates, Nile

Sparsely populated due to arid climateMost Important Resources

Lack water Have Oil

Do Now: Watch the Video and Write:

1 Questions

1 Comment

1 Interpretive Statement

Animation

Cairo

Umayyad Caliphate 661-750 CECentered in Damascus, Syria Emphasis on Arab cultureDiscrimination toward non-Arab

Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258Caliph was descendent of MuhammadOverthrew UmayyadNew Capital at Baghdad prospered Built Hospitals, Mosques, Libraries, Schools,

Irrigation systems, etc. Outcome of 500 years= unified Muslim world

Though Islam and Arabic united the regionPersian, Greek, Roman, Indian and Egyptian

culture was absorbed into the cultureExpansion and Development

Shipping fleets tradedGoods like Steel and textiles traded for silk and

porcelainBanks established at trade posts

Issued credit to merchantsEducational contributions are numerous

House of Wisdom in Baghdad 1004 by Caliph Al-Mamun

1300s Ottomans in AnatoliaNomads swept into region led by Osmen Bay1453, Mehmed “the Conquerer” captured

Constantinople ending the Byzantine Empire

Suleiman (1520-1566)- The “Lawgiver”Ruled 50 million peopleHeight of the Ottoman Empire

Sunni empire

Sultan– Head of government– Absolute power2 groups of officials to help run empire

Men of Pen—Viziers (Lawyers, judges, mathematicians, writers)

Men of the Sword—Janizary Corp (soldiers and body guards)

Both groups made up of Christian children taken from conquered lands Did not have ties to rival Muslim families/tribes

Millet—Non-Muslim communities loyal to Sultan

1500s the Safavids waged war on Ottomans IranSafavids Shiite– Ottomans Sunnis

Abbas the Great 1587-1629 Shah (King)European helped him to fight against Ottomans

Trained in Musketry and Cannonry Encouraged trade

Brought Chinese to Capital Shahs ruled till 1979 though the Safavids were

gone by 1736