WHI.9b - Islamic Economic, Social, and Political Development

The student will apply social science skills to understand the Islamic civilization from about 600 to 1000 A.D. (C.E.) by

b) assessing the influence of geography on Islamic economic, social, and political development, including the impact of conquest and trade;

In the first three centuries after Muhammad’s death, Muslim rule expanded rapidly, overcoming geographic barriers, facilitated by weakened political empires.

Political unity and the Arabic language facilitated trade and stimulated intellectual activity.

Geographic influences on the origin and spread of Islam

 Diffusion along trade routes from Mecca and Medina

 Expansion despite great distances, desert environments, and mountain barriers

 Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia facilitated by weak Byzantine and Persian empires

Geographic influences on economic, social, and political development

 Political unity of the first Islamic empire was short-lived

 Arabic language spread with Islam and facilitated trade across Islamic lands

 Slavery was not based on race

Terms

Muslim Empire (8a,b)

Islamic civilization (8a-d)

Prophet (8a,b)

Allah (8a)

Hijrah (8a)

Jihad (8a)

Mosque (8a)

Minaret (8a)

Quran (8a)

Five Pillars (8a)

Facilitated (8b)

Diffusion (8b)

Arabic language (8b)

Sunni Muslims (8c)

Shi’a Muslims (8c)

Battle of Tours (8c)

Caliph (8c)

Algebra (8d)

Astrolabe (8d)

People

Muhammad (8a,b)

Ali (8c)

Mongols (8c)

Places

Arabian Peninsula (8a)

Spain (8a)

Mecca (8b)

Medina (8b)

Iran (8b)

Damascus (8c)

Baghdad (8c)

Jerusalem (8c)