Explain the origins of Islam and the growth of the Islamic Empire.
Essential Question:
– Who was Muhammad & how did Islam unite the Arab people? Overview of Islam
• Around 600 AD, a new monotheistic religion began called Islam:
– The faith was founded by the prophet Muhammad
– His followers, called
Muslims, spread
Islam throughout the
Middle East, Africa,
Asia, & Europe
By 750 AD, Muslim leaders built an empire
Muslim scholars focused on learning & developed numerous cultural achievements that are still used today
The Islamic Empire connected diverse people through religion
& trade
Overview of Islam
Today, Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion with more than 1 billion followers throughout the world What was Arabia like …show more content…
Islamic Achievements
Muslims during the Islamic Empire developed innovations that are still used today because:
– The Islamic world was rich, diverse and creative. Greeks, Chinese, Hindus, Arabs,
Persians, Turks and others all contributed.
– Muslims helped spread ideas as well as goods along their trade routes that connected Asia, Europe and Africa.
– Scholars read about and preserved Greek and Roman ideas.
The Islamic Empire at its height:
Discussion Questions
• Why do you think scholars call the era of the Abbasid's rule of the Islamic Empire a
“golden age”?
• Which Islamic achievement do you think is most important? Rank order the achievements from 1-9
SSWH5b:
Identify the Muslim trade routes to
India, China, Europe and Africa and assess the economic impact of this trade. Trade in the Islamic Empire Activity
#1: On your map, outline the Islamic Empire
#2: Draw and label the Silk Road
On the route, identify 3 products that spread through the Muslim world along the Silk Road
Chinese silk, Persian carpets, Chinese paper, spices, ivory, gold, jade, horses, tea, perfumes,