The Spread of Islam

MadnickGlobal History 9

Following the death of Mohamed (632)

• Islam spread rapidly through Afro Eurasia

• In one century, Islam spread from the city of Mecca

to an empire that stretched from India to Spain

What caused the rapid expansion of Islam?

1. Muslim camel cavalries

2.Muslim horse cavalries

3.Invention of the stirrup

Animals moved quickly over long distancesSoldiers had stability and precision in battle

What caused the rapid expansion of Islam?

4. Religious belief that Allah was on their side

5. Growing Arab population/need for more land

6. Allowing conquered people to keep their culture and beliefs

7. Many people converted to Islam

Spread of Islam, 632-732

632 Arabian Peninsula

636 Damascus, Syria

638 Jerusalem

640 Egypt

670 Attacks on Constantinople/Byz. Empire

Spread of Islam, 632-732

680 All of North Africa

710 Crossed Strait of Gibraltar into Spain

718 All of Spain

724 Reached borders of China and India

732 Southern France until defeated at the Battle of Tours

Parts of the Muslim Empire

1. Umayyad Dynasty (601-750)• Muslim Empire in Africa and Spain• Improved farming by adding citrus fruits,

sugar cane and irrigation• Spanish cities were largest in Europe

Parts of the Muslim Empire

1. Umayyad Dynasty (601-750)

Parts of the Muslim Empire

2. Abbasid Dynasty (750-1250)

• Muslim Empire in the Middle East• Capital City at Baghdad• Golden Age of Islam

Parts of the Muslim Empire

3. Moghul Dynasty (1100-1398)• Muslim Empire in India• Many Hindus converted to escape caste system• Urdu-new language blended

Arabic and Hindi• Sikhism-new religion blended

Islam and Hinduism