Chapter 4.1 Early Expansion
Muslim Armies Conquer Many Lands
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What region did the Muslims first unify, and who was the caliph who led this unification?
How were the Muslims able to conquer both the Persian and Byzantine empires?
Why do you think the Umayyad caliphs moved the capital from Medina to Damascus?
What role did armies play in spreading Islam?
About how far did Muslim rule spread in the 120 years after Muhammad’s death?
Trade Helps Islam Spread
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What feature of Arabia gave Muslim merchants easy access to many parts of the world?
How did Arab merchants spread Islam?
What did Muslims gain through trade?
Which continents did trade routes reach?
Was more trade over land or sea routes?
A Mix of Cultures
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What two religious groups shared some beliefs with Muslims?
What is religious tolerance, and how did the Muslims practice it?
How did Muslim culture change as Islam spread?
How was the spread of the Arabic language important to the spread of Islam?
Did Muslim tolerance encourage or limit the spread of Islam?
The Growth of Cities
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Why was Baghdad an important city?
Why was Baghdad’s location important?
How did Muslims in Cordoba influence Europe?
What did Baghdad and Cordoba have in common?
How do the Great Mosque and al-Idrisi’s map suggest that Cordoba was a center of culture and
learning?
The Hajj (p. 86-87) and The Blue Mosque (p.99)
The Hajj (pgs. 86-87) and The Blue Mosque (p. 99)
1. What are some of the places from which Muslims begin their journey to Mecca?
2. Why is Mecca the holiest city in Islam?
3. Explain the ritual of “Standing”.
4. Why do you think the decoration of the Blue Mosque is so elaborate?
5. What is a minaret? Why was it special that the Blue Mosque had six?
Chapter 4.2 Muslim Empires
The Ottoman Empire
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What two important Muslim holy cities came under Ottoman rule?
How was Mehmed II able to conquer Constantinople?
How did the conquest of Constantinople help the Ottoman Empire expand?
What region was at the heart, or center, of the Ottoman Empire?
How did the Ottomans gain land for their empire?
The Safavid Empire
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What are two ways in which the Safavid and Ottoman empires were different?
What two cultural traditions did the Safavid blend?
How do the Sunnis and Shia differ?
In what ways were the religious beliefs of the Safavid and Ottoman empires similar and
different?
5. What large plateau is located in the heart of the Safavid Empire?
6. Which two groups advanced into Safavid territory?
The Mughal Empire
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Where did the Mughals come from?
How did Adkbar’s policies help to unify the Mughal Empire?
How did peace and unity in the Mughal Empire lead to a rich culture?
What cultures blended in the Mughal Empire to create a distinct culture?
In what region was the Mughal Empire located?
Chapter 4.3 Cultural Achievements
Science and Philosophy
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What device invented by the Greeks to help sailors did the Muslims improve upon?
What was one benefit of Muslim advances in astronomy?
Name one way in which advances in science and geography changed the world in the 1100s.
In your opinion, what was the most important advance in science and learning in the Muslim
world and why?
5. Look at the primary source excerpt on the top of page 95. What parts of Ibn Battutah’s
description would be useful to a mapmaker?
Literature and the Arts
1. What forms of literature were most often read by Muslims?
2. How do the short stories in The Thousand and One Nights reflect the diversity of the Muslim
world?
3. What are some characteristic features of mosques? What two architectural elements were
usually part of a mosque?
4. What did patrons do for art and architecture in the Muslim world?
5. How did Muslim artists create art without showing humans or animals?