Islam Study Guide

Compare Shiites and Sunnis.

Shiites believed the caliph should be a direct descendant of Muhammad
meanwhile, Sunnis believed it should be elected by the religious leaders of the
Muslim community. Sunnis make up 85% of the Muslim population meanwhile,
Shiites make up 15% of the Muslim population.
Describe the factors that helped Islam spread.
Islam spread during the Caliphate period through the Middle East, North Africa,
Spain and India. Firstly, Muslim forces were strong and fast, using cavalry made
up of camels and horses to maneuver quickly. Secondly, Byzantine and Persia
badly weakened each other. Thirdly, they were strongly united by their beliefs
and sense of equality. Fourthly, Muslims were tolerant rulers and allowed other
religions. Non-Muslims paid a special tax and they could live a normal life.
Fifthly, caravan trade routes were used to spread Islam. Lastly, they were
greeted as liberators by many people.
Name the main achievements of the Islamic Golden Age and describe
them.
There was cultural diffusion of Arabs, Persians, Egyptians, Indians and
Europeans and also preserved classical cultures such as Grecco-Roman
civilization. They made advances in medicine including the writing of medical
texts, hospitals with emergency rooms, cataract and the study of the human
body and diseases. There were flourishing economies based on trade which
spread culture and religion. They made calligraphy which is artistic writing.
Important works of literature were created such as the Quran, Oral Poetry,
Collected Stories, and The Thousand and One Nights. They emphasized learning
and achievements in the arts and sciences. (Algebra, astrology, geography).
Muslims painted people and animals in Non-religious arts. Lastly, they used
beautiful writing and patterns to decorate architecture, while adapting Byzantine
domes and arches. Also they used the arabesque.
What were the factors that allowed the Ottomans to spread?
-Cannon -Use of Muskets -Large army -Janissaries -Provincial bureaucracy -Toleration
(millet communities) -Conquest of Byzantium -Belief in Jihad, Holy war against the West
Describe the factors enabling the spread of the Mongol Empire.
There was strict military discipline and they demanded absolute loyalty. The
military crushed resistance and were fast moving forces. The soldiers were
skilled horsemen and bowmen. They adapted new military technology such as
gunpowder weapons. Movement was easier through the Steppe lands. Lastly,
they tolerated conquered peoples beliefs.
What impacts did the Mongols have on civilization?
They were famous for their savage barbarity for those that opposed them. (The
Punishment of G-d) The Mongols waged total war on entire regions bringing
wholesale destruction. They brought the Black Death West to Europe. Mongol
conquests led to over a century of peace and stability to people who were under
Mongol rule. Due to this the Silk Road trade routes reemerged. The Yuan
dynasty was created by Kublai Khan. There was conquest of Eastern Europe and
Russia. They helped turn Russia from a self-governing city-states into a unified
region under the rule of Muscovying. Finally they introduced Chinese gunpowder
weapons to Europe.
Why are Muslims and Hindus different?
-Hindu many gods, Islam has one
-Hindu has caste system when Islam promoted equality
Explain why the Mughals had such success in India. Muslim invaders
triumphed in Northern India. Why?
-They had better mobility (Hindu rode slow war elephants)
- There were Turkish mounted archers
-Many Hindu converted to Islam, especially from lower castes for reasons like
equality
-Hindu princes battled one another instead of a common enemy
How did the Yuan impact China (Mongols in China) ?
The Mongols tried to keep their culture from being mixed with the foreign
Chinese culture. Only Mongols could serve in the military. Only Mongols could
do high government jobs. It was the first foreign dynasty to rule China. The
Grand Canal was repaired and it had been expanded. Marco Polo even visited
China and wrote a book called the Description of the World.
What were the achievements of Akbar the Great (Baburs grandson)?
He had a policy of toleration and led Mughal India through a golden age. Akbar
opened up government jobs to Hindus of all castes and hoped to promote
religious harmony. Also, to improve government, he used paid officials.
Describe Ming isolationism.
Under the Ming, Zheng He explored vast areas and conducted long voyages.
After he died, the Ming became isolated because...
-It was costly (They made no profits)
-They wanted to preserve Chinese tradition
-Confucian scholars had little interest- thought China was supreme