Introduction
In this Webquest, you will learn:
- the origins of Islam
- the growth of the Islamic empire
- Muslim trade routes to India, China, Europe, and Africa
- the economic impact of these trade routes
- the reasons for the split between the Sunni and Shia Muslims
- the contributions of the Islamic scholars in medicine and geography
- the impact of the Crusades on the Islamic world and Europe
- the relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Task
Process
Origins of Islam
The start of Islam is marked in the year 610, following the first revelation to the prophet Muhammad at the age of 40. Muhammad and his followers spread the teachings of Islam throughout the Arabian peninsula. Soon after the death of the prophet Muhammad, there were military expeditions, called "futuhat," or literally "openings," into what is now Egypt and other parts of North Africa. In other parts of the world, Islam spread through trade and commerce. The following is a brief timeline that highlights some of the major occurrences in Islam's development, as well as the geographical spread of Islam to some of the countries featured in the film.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/timeline.html
The Growth of the Islamic Empire
Why did the Ottoman Empire expand so quickly?
As Muslims, the Ottoman Turkish sultans believed in 'jihad' – a holy war to spread Islam over all the world.
The Turks believed in a prophecy called Osman's dream, about a tree which grew until it covered the whole world. This gave them confidence that they would win a world-wide empire.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/the_wider_world/medieval_islamic_world/revision/3/
Sunni- Shia Split
Shortly after the death of Muhammad there was a disagreement between two groups in the Islamic faith.
This division is one that is still an issue in the modern world.
http://www.reviewsheetscentral.com/?/rs/9/islam.htm
Islamic Scientific Innovation
Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
This Islamic scirentist is known for many great innovations in various scientific disciplines. However, he is perhaps most widely known for his work in advancing the understanding of medicine.
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Avicenna
Ibn Baṭṭūṭah
Ibn Battutah is a well known Islamic explorer that is remembered for his numerous and lengthy journeys.
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Ibn-Battutah
Islamic Trade Routes
Due to the rapid expansion of Islam, Arabic empires soon found themselves in control of the main trade route between Asia and Europe.
This trade route would become known as the Silk Road.
Through trade the Islamic empires not only expanded their wallets, but also their religion.
https://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch2en/conc2en/silkroad.html
The Crusades
The crusades were a military undertaking that pitted the Christian West against the growing Islamic world.
The objective of the first crusade was to retake the holy land.
However, the wars did not end there.
http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/engl257/Medieval/crusades.htm
Relations between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
The Islamic Empires were surprisingly tolerant of other monotheistic religions.
They allowed Christian, Jews, and Zoroastrians to continue to practice their religions.