Natural Resources:
• Oil- 70% of the worlds oil reserves–Produce ½ of the worlds current
supply–Importance of oil allows many
Middle East countries to play “oil politics” (OPEC)
The Rise of Islam
• The Islamic faith quickly spread across the Arabian Peninsula under Muhammad, and his successors.
•By the 800s the Islamic Faith and rule had been
established throughout the Middle East, North Africa
and Spain
Reasons for the rapid success:
• Islam brought a sense of unity and communality to believers. – Through this unity they
had a common cause to spread the Islamic faith
• Muslims saw victories as a sign of Allah’s support
• Jihad- –those who
fought and were willing to die in the name of Allah were guaranteed a place in heaven